The residents of nine villages in Bijelo Polje declared today that they will resist the devastation of their area caused by the planned opening of a quarry in Srđevac. The concession for this project has been awarded to “Imperijal”, a company owned by Vojislav Smolović, who is the brother of the president of Bijelo Polje Municipality, Petar Smolović.

At noon today, they blocked the main road between Bijelo Polje and Berane for an hour in the locality of Srđevac.

The locals reiterated their demand for the Government to cancel the contract with the concessionaire.

Denis Hasanagić emphasized that the community would not relent in their pursuits and would continue to fight until their demands are met.

Ilija Nedović noted that they are prepared to involve children in their protests and to obstruct any machinery on-site.

During the demonstration, lengthy traffic jams occurred on both sides of the Bijelo Polje-Berane main road.

Environmental advocate Dino Ramović commented on the ongoing destruction of Bijelo Polje, which began with the factory closures.

“This led to a mass exodus of residents, and now we are in the final phase of Bijelo Polje’s demise, as quarries appear everywhere,” he remarked.

The residents reiterated their appeal to the Government and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to uphold their constitutional rights and annul the contract with “Imperial”.

Safer Spahić, the President of the Local Community (MZ) of Lozna, stated that the community had not been informed about the public debate held by the Municipality, which had previously claimed to have acted transparently and legally.

“I am publicly declaring that the local community was unaware of this, did not approve any documents, nor did we provide consent,” Spahić stated, affirming the local community’s solidarity with the residents.

In addition to NGOs, the locals received support today from representatives of the coalition “For the Future of Montenegro” and Democratic Montenegro. The Bosniak Party has also previously expressed their backing for the residents’ demands against the quarry’s establishment.

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