Thousands of tourists were able to leave Cox’s Bazar with the escorts by the personnel from the Bangladesh Army several days after they (tourists) had been stranded there due to strike enforced by anti-quota protesters and curfew imposed by the government,
Meanwhile, some of the tourists were able to leave Cox’s Bazar on their own.
But, a large number of other tourists were still remaining stranded there due to insufficient arrangement of transportations.
Local sources said the tourists were sent back to their own destinations on Tuesday morning by 71 buses and 30 smaller vehicles escorted by personnel from the Bangladesh Army.
Many of those tourists did not have any cash on them and, therefore, they had been facing financial crisis, said authorities concerned.
According to witnesses, the tourists, who were able to leave for their destinations expressed their joys and expressed gratefulness to the Cox’s Baxar district administrations and the Bangladesh Army as well. Officials of the Cox’s Bazar district administration said they
would take measures so that the rest of the tourists would be able to reach their destinations.
At first the quota protesters had enforced countrywide strike programmes for an indefinite period. Later, BNP and Jamaat took control over the movement by snatching it from the students. Later, they (BNP-Jamaat) unleashed terrors forcing the government to clamp the curfew.
As a result, the tourists had to remain stranded in Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata in Patuakhali for several days.
As the miscreants destroyed the internet system, the tourists had to face additional sufferings. The disruption of internet service added to their sufferings as ATM booths, Bkash and Nagad remained closed and they could not withdraw money.
Officials concerned said, some of the tourists collected tourist passes from the Additional District Magistrate so that they could leave Cox’s Bazar on air and by other vehicles.
In the circumstance, the Cox’s Bazar district administrations arranged 71 buses and 30 smaller vehicles for the purpose sending the tourists to their destinations escorted by members of Bangladesh Army.
Rubel and Nahida Sultana, a couple hailing from Malibagh area in Dhaka, said they had been visiting Cox’ Bazar with their three-year old child since last Thursday. They were supposed to return on Sunday. But, they were unable to go back due to the prevailing situation.
Now they expressed their gratefulness to the authorities for the special arrangement in helping their return.
Three friends Iqbal, Ferdous and Rafiq, who came from Narsingdi, said they had been stranded in Cox’s Bazar since last three days. They could not withdraw money from ATM booths either. In the end, one of the friends sold his cell phone and took curfew pass from the District Magistrate. They left Cox’s Bazar in one of the buses going to Dhaka under the protection of Bangladesh Army.
Tourist Rafiqur Rahman, who hails from Narayanganj, said he came to visit Cox’s Bazar with his family in his private car. However, they could not return due to security concerns amid the volatile situation. They expressed relief that they will be able to leave Cox’s Bazar along with the escorted vehicles on Tuesday morning.
President of Cox’s Bazar Hotel motel Guest House Owners Association Abul Kashem Shikdar said many tourists are still stranded in Cox’s Bazar and many of them are out of cash as well. They are facing difficulties because of that. They have instructed the hotel owners to keep the address of the tourists who cannot pay the rent now and let them pay the rent when they get home.
Additional District Magistrate of Cox’s Bazar Ataul Goni Osmani said they have provided tourist pass to 11,000 thousands tourists in the last three days. They are giving the tourist pass without any delay and they are also keeping their addresses.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Md. Jashum Uddin Chowdhury said the stranded tourists are leaving Cox’s Bazar in the vehicles escorted by members of Bangladesh Army, BGB, RAB and Police under the district administration. There are 71 buses and 30 smaller vehicles among them.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahin Imran said the curfew was imposed again till Wednesday by the district administration. Moreover, there are moderate to heavy rain from Monday due to adverse weather. The stranded tourists are going back amid the rain and adverse weather. More than 5,000 tourists went back to their destination on Monday and Tuesday. If there are more tourists who are still stranded in Cox’ Bazar, they will consider sending them back under their protection as well, said the Deputy Commissioner.
GOC and Area Commander of Cox’s Bazar 10 Infantry Brigade Major General Sheikh Mohammad Sarwar Hossain said the government and army always stay beside the people. They understood the tourists’ suffering and took measures to send them back under their protection.
