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Published : 25 Feb 2025, 08:06 PM
A massive fire has ravaged the popular tourist destination of Sajek in Rangamati, burning down 35 homes belonging to Tripura and Lusai families, along with resorts, cottages, and shops.
More than 200 people have been left homeless, with many spending the night under the open sky.
Some victims have taken refuge in temples and churches, but most lost everything, including household items and stored crops.
Anxiety grips the affected families as they struggle to rebuild their lives.
The Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners’ Association has stepped in to provide food assistance to the victims.
“Our association, along with local villagers and the army, has been arranging meals for the affected people since last night,” said Motijoy Tripura, the association’s joint general secretary.
According to the Rangamati district administration and the resort-cottage owners’ association, the fire destroyed 16 homes belonging to the Lusai community and 19 belonging to Tripuras, along with several business establishments.
“We have lost everything,” said Mithun Tripura, a victim.
“Our stored paddy was completely burnt. We have nothing left to eat. We spent the entire night under the open sky, staring at the ashes of our home.”
Ranjan Tripura shared a similar ordeal: “We couldn’t save anything. Our house was reduced to ashes, and we couldn’t retrieve a single belonging.”
David Lusai said, “Everyone who lost their home is a relative of mine. Some lost their ginger crops, while others lost their turmeric. Now, we have nowhere to go but the streets. Everything is gone.”
Lal Thang Lusai, headman of Rui Lui Para, described the fire as the worst in Sajek’s history.
His own brick house was reduced to rubble.
“As soon as the fire broke out, we ran outside with only the clothes on our backs. We didn’t even have time to put on shoes. The flames spread rapidly, leaving us with no choice but to spend the night under the open sky,” he said.
Anitya Tripura, member of Sajek Union’s Ward No 2, said the affected families are mostly daily-wage earners, dependent on shifting cultivation and turmeric farming.
He urged the government and affluent individuals to step forward and help the victims.
Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Habib Ullah said efforts are underway to provide financial and food assistance to the affected families following government regulations.
“We are working to complete the official procedures quickly so that we can stand by the victims as soon as possible. Our investigation team is already on the ground,” he said.
