As part of preventive measures against underground criminals and suspected militants in hilly district Bandarban, the administration has imposed a temporary ban on tourism at Rowangchhari and Ruma upazilas.
Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Yasmin Parvin Tibrizi on Monday requested tourists to not travel to these upazilas until further notice.
Md Mamun Shibli Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Ruma and Md Khorshed Alam Chowdhury Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Rowangchhari said tourist movements in the two upazilas have been banned due to joint drive of law enforcers against suspected militants and criminals.
When the ban will be lifted has not been ascertained from the administration, they said.
Md Nasirul Alam, president of Bandarban micro-jeep-mahendra owners cooperative association said the operations of tourist-carrying vehicles in these upazilas have been suspended after getting the administrative direction on Monday.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Army and Rapid Action Battalion members jointly continued their operation at hilly and border lying areas in the two upazilas.
On October 12, Rab distributed leaflets calling on suspected militants and criminals in the hills to surrender promising their peaceful handover.
Past the deadline mentioned by Rab, none surrendered to law enforcers hence the security operations in the area have been tightened, said Rab sources.