Tourists, locals clash in Sylhet's Jaflong, visitors 'barred' from Utmachhara

Tourists have reportedly been involved in a physical altercation with locals at Jaflong, a tourism hotspot in Sylhet's Gowainghat Upazila. Meanwhile, locals have allegedly barred tourists from travelling to Utmachhara, another tourist destination in Companiganj.

The Jaflong incident occurred on Monday afternoon, while the Utmachhara incident occurred on Sunday. Videos of both have gone viral on social media.

Ratan Kumar Odhikary, Gowainghat Upazila executive officer (UNO), said: "There was a misunderstanding with tourists in Jaflong over a trivial matter. It was resolved immediately."

Locals said that on Monday afternoon, some tourists and local youths had an argument in the Jaflong BGB camp area. At one point, a scuffle broke out. Later, the youths chased the tourists.

In the video circulating on social media, a crowd can be seen next to a bus used to transport tourists near the Jaflong BGB camp. A conversation occurs between the two sides, but the words are not audible on the recording. But, at one point shouting can be heard as the two sides begin to fight and chase each other.

UNO Ratan said that local elders immediately resolved the issue, but many people have misunderstood the situation because of how quickly the video spread on social media.

“We have expressed our apologies to the tourists about the issue. No party has complained.”

The UNO also said that the administration is working to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

Meanwhile, tourists have been prevented from going to the Utmachhara tourist spot in Companiganj after locals accused them of destroying the environment by engaging in obscene activities.

The viral video showed some locals asking tourists to leave the location.

Among those who prohibited people from visiting Utmachhara was Mufti Ruhul Amin Siraji, vice-president of the Companiganj Upazila Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam.

He told reporters, "Some people, in the name of tourism, go there and drink alcohol and engage in obscene activities. This is ruining the environment of the area. A meeting was held with local scholars, clerics and youths before Eid to discourage people from visiting the tourist centre. As part of this, we explained the situation to the people who came to visit on Sunday afternoon."

Several attempts were made to contact Companiganj Upazila executive officer Azizun Nahar for comment on the matter, but there was no response.