Bashir Ahmed, Bandarban representative: In Bandarban, the ban on the travel of tourists in Ruma, Rowangchari and Thanchi upazilas has been extended till November 16. The matter was informed in a public notice signed by Yachmin Parveen Tibriji, Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban, this Saturday (November 12) evening.
Joint anti-terrorist operation started in hilly areas bordering Ruma-Roangchhari, Thanchi and Alikadam upazilas of Bandarban district from last October 10. Bandarban district administration has issued a temporary ban on the travel of tourists due to security considerations in Sandashi campaign.
First, the indefinite ban started from October 18 in Ruma and Rowangchari upazilas of Bandarban. Later, from October 23 to October 30, the district administration again imposed restrictions on the travel of tourists in the two upazilas of Thanchi and Alikadam. The travel ban was then extended from October 30 to November 4. Later, a public notification was issued and travel restrictions were extended to 4 upazilas of Bandarban from November 4 to November 8. After that, from November 8 to November 12, the district administration banned the travel of tourists in Ruma-Roangchari and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban district. Last Saturday (November 12) evening through a public notice signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban Yachmin Parveen Tibriji, the district administration issued a public notice extending the ban on the travel of tourists to Ruma, Rowangchari and Thanchi upazilas for the 6th time till November 16.
Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban Yachmin Parveen Tibriji said that the joint anti-terror operation is ongoing in the remote areas of Bandarban. In order to prevent any domestic and foreign tourists from facing any problem while traveling to those places, the ban on the travel of tourists to Ruma, Rowangchari and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban will remain in force until November 16.
Meanwhile, since the ban on tourists in 3 upazilas of Bandarban has started since October 18, Bandarban district has become devoid of tourists and tourism-related businessmen including hotel-motels and tourist vehicles in the district are spending their idle time.
