Petko Bakić, the Mayor of the Municipality of Kolašin, has consistently sought assistance from local police regarding the project to redirect the Ljevaja River, aimed at supplying water to the ski centers on Bjelasica and for snowmaking on the slopes. This has led to complications with the residents of Mušovići Rijeka, who have repeatedly obstructed the contractor’s access to the construction site.

Representatives from the “Sigilum Co” consortium, with whom the Capital Projects Administration has a contract for preparing technical documentation and constructing hydrotechnical infrastructure for the ski center, have done the same.

This situation has been clarified in a response from the Police Directorate, received by “Vijesti” yesterday.

Residents of Mušovića Rijeka have been opposing the plan to direct the river “uphill” through pipes to Bjelasica for months, stating their concerns about the project.

On May 13, some residents informed “Vijesti” that Haris Đurđević, the head of the Regional Security Center “North”, was in Kolašin for a meeting with a contractor representative. The focus of the meeting was allegedly on the forced passage through residents’ properties and the appropriation of the Ljevaja River.

The Police Directorate clarified that Đurđević was on a working visit to the Kolašin Security Department, which he oversees, to discuss preparations for the upcoming summer tourist season.

During the meeting, attended by the Mayor of Kolašin and the Head of the Municipal Police, the discussion included providing support to the Municipality in addressing requests related to the water supply system project which services Kolašin 1600 and Kolašin 1450 mountaineering centers.

However, the Police Directorate noted that previous requests from the Municipality had not met the necessary legal conditions for assistance to be granted.

“CLARIFICATION OF LEGAL PROCEDURE”

The security institution emphasized that the meeting was intended to clarify the necessary legal processes for the implementation of the Municipality’s decisions, outlining conditions under which the Police Administration could assist in project execution:

“According to the Rules on Providing Assistance to State and Other Bodies in the Procedure for Enforcement of Their Decisions and Article 34 of the Law on Internal Affairs, specific conditions must be fulfilled to provide assistance to various administrative bodies during decision execution.”

The Police Directorate refuted claims from Mušovića Rijeka residents about Đurđević’s meeting with contractors, while confirming that representatives from “Sigilum” were present at part of the discussion.

“Contrary to claims, Đurđević did not come to Kolašin with ‘Sigilum’ representatives, although they participated in discussions related to the water supply project. During this time, the legal process relevant to their involvement was explained, emphasizing that requests for police assistance must come from the appropriate administrative bodies instead of contractors,” said the Police Directorate.

When “Vijesti” questioned Đurđević’s involvement in the dispute, particularly given public and expert concerns about the project affecting village water supply and the operation of a historic hydroelectric power plant, the response indicated that he had not intervened in the conflict.

“Đurđević did not involve himself in the dispute by request or by initiative; rather, the meeting served to clarify the police’s role regarding the project implementation to all stakeholders, including the Municipality and the contractor. The Chief made it clear that any police action outside the legal stipulations would be deemed illegal. The Police Administration does not take sides in disputes between residents and the contractor concerning potential impacts on water supply but will operate strictly within legal frameworks to assist government bodies in implementing their decisions,” the UP stated.

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