The locals of Bijedić near BIjelo Polje, where there is a well-known archeological site from the Neolithic period, today blocked the road to the concessionaire of the quarry, company Elas, owned by Šućr Omerović, demanding termination of the contract.
They said that they will not stop with the daily protests and blocking the road, and that, if the Government of Montenegro does not react, they will block the highway Bijelo Polje - Prijepolje on Monday.
The locals are outraged by the construction work that has started at the Ober site, which is located next to a 6-year-old Neolithic site, but also near the main water supply for the Gubavac settlement.
Krsto Tvrdišić said that the locals gathered to protect the site, the village of Bijediće, Voljavac and all the surrounding towns, as well as Bistrica. "As you can see, our place Bijediće was attacked with various machines where exploitation is carried out without a permit and environmental consent by the Bijelo Polje company Elas.
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Since, as you can see, there is a river here, the source of Bistrica's water supply, an archaeological site, our properties, caves. At the same time, no one informed us or consulted about everything," said Tvrdišić.
He emphasized that someone wants to evict the residents, because this is a plan to destroy the village and the people who live here.
"Today, we say from this place that no one will evict us again, that we will defend ours with our lives," he said, pointing out that the locals have started collecting signatures for the citizens' initiative called "Protect Bijediće".
Locals call on the owner of the company Elas to withdraw the machines and stop the work, and the Ministry of Capital Investments to cancel the given concession.
"Given that we were informed that the company Elas had to complete the research and all the necessary documentation in a period of one year, it did not do it, so it is not clear to us who from the state institutions turned a blind eye and let him start the work without the necessary permits and consent in particular environmental approvals, that's why we call on the competent inspections, especially the environmental inspection because the environment is being destroyed here, to react immediately and stop the works here. We also call on the Municipality of Bijelo Polje to react immediately, as well as the Ministry of Capital Investments", said Tvrdišić.
Locals are outraged to learn that the contract was signed by the Government, that is, the Minister of Capital Investments, Ervin Ibrahimović, pointing out that the works are being carried out under the guise of geological research.
The owner of "Elas" Šućro Omerović told "Vijesti" that he has all the necessary consents and permits, which they need in this phase, reminding that the contract was signed for 30 years and that the environmental consent in the first phase, i.e. year, is not required.
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