Extremists Attack Tourists in Jaflong Over “Indecency” Claims, Force Eviction from Utmachhra

Local correspondent | June 10, 2025

In Jaflong, one of Sylhet’s most attractive tourist spots, local extremists and smugglers jointly attacked tourists during the Eid holidays. A similar incident occurred at the Uttamachhara tourist center in Companiganj upazila, where teachers and students of a Qawmi madrasa, identifying themselves as members of Tauhidi Janata, forced tourists to leave the area.

These two incidents took place on Sunday, June 8, and Monday, June 9, sparking widespread criticism on social media and raising concerns about tourism security in Sylhet.

In the Jaflong incident, it was learned that when BGB members chased some local smugglers, they fled and left their goods in a shop. Later, with the help of a tourist, the BGB members identified the shop and confiscated the goods. In retaliation, the smugglers accused female tourists of “indecent behavior” and incited some local youths to attack the tourists with sticks and umbrella rods.

The attack occurred around 4:30 PM on Monday, June 9, near the Jaflong BGB camp parking area. Videos circulating on social media show some youths beating and verbally abusing tourists with sticks and rods. The video also captures the screams of a woman and her humiliation.

After the incident, the administration claimed the matter was “resolved” locally.

Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ratan Kumar Adhikari dismissed the incident as “trivial,” saying, “There was an argument with the tourists. The matter has been resolved with the locals. The tourists were ‘pleased.’ They left happily.”

He added, “Tourists have many issues. But this is not a specific issue. It’s not a big deal. It has been resolved. They (the tourists) left in a happy mood.”

Meanwhile, locals revealed that “pleasing” the tourists meant covering up the incident by gifting them alcohol.

An anonymous businessman said, “The administration settled the matter by gifting the tourists several bottles of alcohol. Neither the smugglers nor the administration want any trouble here. If the news spreads in the media, there will be trouble.”

The previous day, on Sunday, June 8, in the afternoon, teachers and students of a local madrasa under the name of Tauhidi Janata forced tourists to leave the Uttamachhara tourist center in Chara Bazar area of Uttar Ronikhai Union, Companiganj upazila, accusing them of “indecent behavior.”

Videos show local extremists accusing tourists of “indecent behavior” and threatening them to leave the area. They claimed the tourists were ruining the local environment. Some even threatened that the tourists should never return.

Mufti Ruhul Amin Siraji, vice-president of Companiganj Upazila Jamiyat, who led the group that expelled the tourists from Uttamachhara, said, “Indecent behavior is happening here in the name of tourism. The local environment is being ruined. Before Eid, a meeting was held with local scholars, elders, and youths, and it was decided that tourism would not be allowed here. That’s why they were asked to leave.”

Tourism stakeholders have expressed concern over these incidents.

Mohammad Khatibur Rahman, co-vice president of the Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh, said, “A tourist center not only develops a region but also propels the country forward. Failing to ensure tourists’ safety there will have very harmful consequences. This is unacceptable in any way.”

He added, “There are security concerns at various tourist spots in Sylhet, which have been proven repeatedly. This is a major threat to Sylhet’s tourism industry. The number of tourist police must be increased, and local administration’s constant monitoring must be strengthened to ensure security at every tourist center.”

Abdul Karim Kim, an activist of a citizen movement working on environment and heritage, said, “Although the Tourism Corporation and local administration talk about leveraging Sylhet’s tourism potential, their response to multiple incidents involving tourists has been lackluster. Those involved in the tourism business in Sylhet need to speak up on these issues. Otherwise, this industry will collapse.”

Additional Police Superintendent Mohammad Matiur Rahman of Tourist Police Sylhet Region said, “The locals resolved the Jaflong incident. But we have recorded the names and addresses of the tourists. They have been told that legal action will be taken if they file a complaint.”

He further stated that the Jaflong tourists were from Manikganj, and a 15-year-old member of the group was talking to the BGB, which the locals misinterpreted, leading to the incident.

However, he said he was unaware of the Uttamachhara incident.