Avoid visiting Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban

Tourists have been discouraged from travelling to Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban, the three districts that make up the Chittagong Hill Tracts, from October 8 to October 31 for “unavoidable reasons”.

“We’re making the call considering the overall situation and safety of the tourists,” Rangamati’s Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan told the media on Sunday (October 6).

“We apologise for the temporary inconvenience of the tourists. We hope the situation will stabilise within this time, allowing tourists to return.”

Bangladesh’s picturesque Chittagong Hill Tracts, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, attracts a huge number of tourists every day. But after violence in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, the local administration discouraged travelling to Sajek Valley from September 24.

It later asked tourists to avoid Sajek for an indefinite period on October 4.

The tourism sector in the hill tracts will take a heavy blow as a result of the ‘travel restrictions’.

The hills suddenly became turbulent in mid-September. Clashes erupted in Khagrachhari and spread to Rangamati, leaving at least four people dead and dozens of businesses damaged.

A 72-hour blockade followed the clashes. There have also been reports of attempted kidnappings of tourists.