The Bandarban district administration has banned tourist movement in Ruma and Rowangchhari upazilas due to the joint operation of the security forces in the border areas.
The instruction was issued at 8:30pm on Monday, Ruma Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mamun Shibli and Rowangchhari UNO Mohammad Khorshed Alam Chowdhury confirmed the matter.
They said that the restriction was imposed for the time being due to the joint operation so that no untoward incident happens with the tourists. However, they could not say anything about when the tourists will be allowed again.
The drives began in Rangamati and Bandarban areas last week after media reports suggested that a new militant group, named “Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya”, was working with Myanmar-based separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF). Due to the operation, the youths who had joined the KNF went into hiding.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal recently said any separatist or militant organization found in Bangladesh was being removed.
Asked whether there was a link between local militant organizations and separatists, the minister said: “These matters are being investigated. If we find a connection, we will take action accordingly. We are assuming that some members of militant organizations were stationed next to a KNF camp. We have identified some people, and they will be interrogated after they are captured.”