Thousands of tourists stranded as road blockade paralyzes Khagrachhari

A dawn-to-dusk road blockade is underway across Khagrachhari on Saturday (September 27), demanding the arrest of those involved in the recent gang rape of a schoolgirl in Khagrachari's Singinala .

The protest began at 5.00am and is set to continue until 6.00pm, with widespread picketing reported across the district.

Protesters have set fires and blocked key roads with trees, bricks, and burning tires—particularly at Chengri Bridge, Chengri Square, and Narayan Khaiya. Internal routes to Dighinala, Mahalchhari, and Panchhari, as well as regional highways in Ramgarh, Manikchhari, and Guimara, remain cut off.

Although limited local transport remains operational within the town, long-distance buses—including Dhaka-bound night coaches—have been suspended at multiple points, leaving thousands of tourists stranded.

Transport leaders say travel to tourist destinations like Sajek remains suspended, while inter-district services are entirely shut.

Abdul Baten Mridha, officer-in-charge (OC) of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station, said, "Police are deployed at multiple points and efforts are ongoing to restore traffic."

The movement, initially launched by the Jumma Student Community, has since gained support from UPDF-backed groups, including the Hill Women’s Federation and Hill Students Council.