Companiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Azizunnahar has warned that anyone who obstructs tourists at Utma Chora in Sylhet will be dealt with strictly.
"The highest level of safety measures will be taken for tourists visiting this spot. However, actions will also be taken against any involvement in antisocial activities, obscenity, or drug use in the area," she said during a meeting held on Tuesday afternoon in the UNO’s conference room, attended by the office-in-charge of Companiganj police station, representatives from the Tourist Police, imams of various mosques, students from the local Qawmi madrasa, and local residents.
"Although Utma Chora is not a government-gazetted tourist location, the administration will take every possible measure to ensure visitor safety," the UNO said.
She added that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) deployed in the area and local union parishad members have been instructed to remain alert.
What happened?
Investigations reveal that on the day after Eid-ul-Azha, many tourists from both inside and outside Sylhet visited Utma Chora to celebrate the occasion.
During that time, teachers and students of a local madrasa as well as some local residents went there and obstructed them.
In the viral video, someone is heard saying that the local religious scholars (Alems) and residents have decided that tourism will not be allowed at Utma Chora.
"So those of you who are here, please leave. People like you come here, drink alcohol, and engage in obscene activities, which destroy the environment of our area," the speaker says.
"To preserve our local environment, we are discouraging tourists from coming here. After today, none of you should ever come back here."
The video also features someone saying that the day before Eid, religious scholars, elders, and youth of the Uttor Ronikhai union collectively decided that no one will be allowed to come to Utma Chora for tourism.
Locals clarify position
Later, in the meeting with UNO Azizunnahar, locals clarified that the area was not entirely closed.
They said they only urged visitors not to engage in indecent behavior or drug use.
They claimed the issue was being misrepresented and assured the administration that there would be no issues for tourists visiting Utma, provided they refrain from immoral conduct.
Mufti Ruhul Amin Siraji, Jamiat Youth's Companiganj upazila chapter vice-president and a local resident present during the incident, said: “We did not prohibit anyone from coming here. We only said that visitors should not consume drugs or behave indecently. Also, there is no direct road to this stream—many people have to cross through private properties to get here, which causes inconvenience to the locals.
"So, we simply asked tourists not to behave unethically. One of our locals misspoke in the video, saying no one should come again. That is what caused the confusion. We have resolved this matter with the UNO.”
Calls for regulation, not restriction
A local tourist named Shafi Uddin Jewel remarked that Utma Chora is not anyone’s personal property.
“If there is drug use or indecent behavior, stop it; we have no objection to that,” he added.
He also pointed out that drugs are sold by some local people, urging authorities to stop drug peddling if possible.
Shafi encouraged embracing tourists and tourism positively and suggested unique business opportunities.
“Put up signboards on the road stating that entry to Utma Chora is prohibited without modest and decent clothing. Action will be taken against unsocial activities or gestures.
“Also, put up more beautiful and well-organized signboards with various messages and advice along the roads to raise awareness among people.”
He alleged that stopping access to Utma Chora means facilitating stone looting.
In response, UNO Azizunnahar said: “We sat down and discussed everything. Based on complaints, we asked if this was being done to promote illegal stone extraction. They said they were simply spreading Islamic teachings and had no involvement in any such activities. They mentioned that stone theft happens elsewhere too.
"Their main concern, they claimed, was obscenity and inappropriate behavior. But the video clearly shows them asking tourists to leave and not come back.”
Meanwhile, Companiganj police station OC Uzair Al Mahmud confirmed that local madrasa students and residents involved in the incident admitted their mistake.
“They said it happened out of emotion and misunderstanding. Civil and police administration officials have since issued warnings to those involved," he added.