Suffer for want of food, water, power and 
mobile network for 4 days

TDS Desk:

Some 1,500 tourists are stranded in Rangamati’s Sajek for four days without power, food, and drinking water.

One of the tourists, Al-Amin, said there is no mobile network in Sajek as well. “The generator that runs on octane has run out of fuel. There is no food in the hotels. To survive, we are drinking water from the waterfall. Our only wish at the moment is to return home safely.”

A cottage owner in Sajek, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that since the Dighinala clash on September 18, there has been no electricity in either Baghaichhari or Sajek.

Sajek Cottage Owners’ Association President Suparno Dev Barman said: “We are working to resolve the food and water crisis. Assistance is being taken from the army. We hope everything will return to normal soon.”

Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shirin Akter said: “The clash in Dighinala caused damage to the power station, which led to electricity issues in Dighinala and Baghaichhari upazila. Usually, the number of tourists is higher on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Because of this, business owners did not stockpile much food. There is no fish or meat, but there are vegetables, which should suffice for now. The army is also helping with fuel supplies.”

She further mentioned that around 1,500 tourists are still stranded there. Until the blockade is lifted, it will not be safe for vehicles to move.

So far, around 20-25 people with better financial means have hired five private helicopters to leave on Sunday and Monday.