Nearly 3,000 tourists stranded in Sajek Valley in Rangamati were evacuated safely with the help of the Army and police on Thursday after armed members of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) allegedly opened fire on tourists and members of law enforcement agencies during an indefinite road blockade there.

No casualties were, however, reported in the incident, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate.

The incident took place in the Gangaram Bazar area of Sajek in Bagaichari upazila, after the blockade disrupted traffic on the Sajek-Baghaichari road and left the tourists stranded.

According to the ISPR statement, the Army and police jointly took security measures to escort the tourists safely to Khagrachhari, following the road blockade.

Around 10:00am, the blockaders obstructed the road and stopped vehicles carrying tourists from moving forward.

Security personnel then attempted to negotiate with the protesters to ensure safe passage for the visitors.

However, around 10:45am, the protesters allegedly began throwing bricks and stones at security personnel and tourists, prompting law enforcement members to use batons to disperse them and clear the road.

Around 11:00am, armed UPDF members allegedly fired approximately 30 to 40 rounds at security personnel and tourists, according to preliminary information cited in the statement.

An Army patrol team retaliated in self-defence and to protect the tourists, forcing the armed individuals to flee the scene.

The stranded tourists were subsequently evacuated safely through coordinated efforts by the Army and police, the statement added.

The Army described the blockade and violence as apparently premeditated, alleging that local residents were intimidated and forced to participate in the blockade and used as human shields.

The statement further claimed that some armed UPDF members took positions in tourist areas following ongoing security operations in different parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

It said such violent activities threatened peace, stability and public safety in the hill region while adversely affecting tourism and local livelihoods.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the CHT and protecting the lives and property of local residents and tourists in coordination with the civil administration and other law enforcement agencies.

The indefinite blockade, jointly called by Sajek Ganadhikar Rakkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association, to press home their three-point demand, began at 6am on Thursday.

Pickets set fire to tyres at several points along the road, bringing all vehicle movement between Dighinala in Khagrachhari and Sajek Valley to a halt.

Meanwhile, the Rangamati district administration imposed a ban on tourist visits to Sajek from Thursday until further notice, citing the prevailing security situation.

The decision was announced in a public notice signed by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi on Wednesday night, stating that the restriction was imposed due to unavoidable circumstances.

The organisations enforcing the blockade alleged that armed members of the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samity (Santu Larma) had established positions in different areas of Sajek, including Machalong, Thalkumbho, Chillyatuli Kuti, Noapara, Lambabak and Bhuiochhari, forcing more than a hundred local residents to leave their homes.

They announced that the blockade would continue until their demands, including the removal of armed members from the area and ensuring the safety of local residents, are met.

The organisations enforced blockades on October 11 but suspended the programme until October 21 on the occasion of Durga Puja.

The fresh blockade caused severe hardship for around 30,000 people from the local Lusai, Tripura, Chakma and Marma communities, disrupting their movement and the transportation of essential commodities.

Local farmers have also been facing difficulties as transport shortages have prevented them from taking their jhum crops to markets.

The Army and police remain on high alert to restore normalcy, while the administration is working to resolve the crisis as soon as possible.