Tour Expert Admin Barsha Arrested in Incident Killing Two Tourists, One Missing

Staff Reporter

Police have arrested Barsha Islam Brishti, admin of the online travel organization “Tour Expert,” in connection with the deaths of two tourists and one going missing due to a hill torrent in Alikadam upazila of Bandarban.

She was arrested on Friday evening, June 13, by Alikadam Thana police based on a case filed by Habibur Rahman, father of deceased tourist Smrity Akter.

Earlier on Saturday morning, Habibur Rahman filed a case at Alikadam Police Station naming his daughter Smrity Akter as the victim and several unidentified persons as accused. The complaint alleges that Barsha Islam organized the trip without following proper safety protocols in a remote and risky area, leading to the fatal accident.

Local sources say a 33-member tourist group led by Tour Expert admin Barsha Islam reached Alikadam on June 11. The group included co-host Hasan and local guide Siddhartha Tanchangya, aiming to visit Kristang Hills in Alikadam and Liman Liblu and Sakahafong peaks in Thanchi upazila.

The group was later split into two – one with 22 tourists and another with 11.

While crossing the Tain Khal, 19 of the 22-member group crossed safely. However, co-host Hasan, Sheikh Zubairul Islam and Smrity Akter were swept away by a sudden flash flood. Zubairul’s body was recovered from Kanai Majhir Ghat two days later on Thursday dawn.

Smrity Akter’s body was found on Friday morning from Amtali Ghat area of Tain Khal. Co-host Hasan remains missing.

In the case, Smrity’s father Habibur Rahman stated that Tour Expert lured tourists through attractive Facebook posts. His daughter joined after seeing such posts. He accused Barsha Islam of irresponsibly organizing the hill trip despite weather warnings, without adequate safety measures or sufficient guides as per regulations.

The complaint further states the tour group didn’t arrange enough local guides. Smrity and other inexperienced tourists were returning through difficult terrain without guides when they encountered flash floods near Shamukjhiri Jharna area, sweeping away Smrity, Zubairul and Hasan.

It alleges Barsha Islam and her associates’ negligence, incompetence and irresponsibility caused the fatal accident.

Alikadam Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abdullah Al Mumin said, “Tourists must register names and addresses at the upazila tourism service center before traveling beyond upazila headquarters.”

He added, “One registered tourist guide is mandatory per 10 tourists. But Tour Expert authorities took only one guide for 12 tourists out of 33, even sending back 22 tourists without any guide. Three tourists went missing on that route, one still untraced.”

Alikadam Thana Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mirza Zahir Uddin said Barsha Islam was arrested based on the victim’s family’s case. Other unidentified Tour Expert members were also accused. The arrested Barsha has been sent to court while investigation continues.