On the agenda of the session of the Committee for Proposals for Settlements, Streets and Squares in Pljevlje scheduled for August 16, there will also be a proposal by the Bobovo village community to rename three streets in Pljevlje, Sava Kovačevića, 37th Division and Narodna Revolucija.
They propose that Ulica Sava Kovačevića in the Guke neighborhood be renamed Ulica Jovana Dragutinovića, and that the street of the 37th division in Zlodol be divided into two, the first of which, from the intersection of Omladinska and 29 november to the stream Zlodo, would be called People's Champion Gavra Pupovića Street and the second part according to flag bearer Filip Jelovac. The local community of Bobovo also requests that the part of Ulica Narodne revolucije and Pilanska, from the bridge on Ćehotina to the bridge on Vezišnica, be renamed Bobovska ulica.
Previously, there was Bobovska Street in Pljevlja, in the Balibegovo brdo neighborhood, but it was recently renamed to Pilot Eldin Hrapović Street, the first victim of the JNA in the 1991 war.
Chairman of the Committee for proposing settlements, streets and squares Bozidar Jelovac he said that they do not decide whether a street will be renamed, but that the local parliament does it.
"Our task is to submit this proposal to the local communities for their opinion, and depending on their response, we send the proposal to the local parliament for decision," said Jelovac, who is also a councilor for Nova in the Municipal Council of Pljevlja.
The Association of Fighters of NOR and the anti-fascists of Pljevlja are "horrified" by the proposal submitted by the Bobovo Municipal Council, which, as they point out, attempts to erase all traces of the People's Liberation Struggle.
That organization accused Jelovac of being the initiator of these activities.
"From the place of proposal and the signatory of the proposal, it is clear that it is a commissioned proposal that was requested by the exasperated chairman of the Committee for Proposing Settlements, Streets and Squares, Božidar Jelovac, from a relative from Bobovo Dimitrija Jelovac. The adviser to the President of the Municipality decided to try to erase all traces of the People's Liberation Struggle in Pljevlje and to change the names of the streets at his own discretion, as it suits his passions. Jelovac proposes, Jelovac votes, the street is named after Jelovac. It is a lot, so that they are Karađorđevići", the Association's press release states.
They claim that Jelovac intended to erase three famous street names in Pljevlja: Sava Kovačević, the 37th Division and the People's Revolution.
"Probably because these are the symbols of NOB and the libertarian tradition that remind him of the shameful role of those he glorifies so fiercely today, even though they are quislings and criminals. The anti-fascists of Pljevlja are not at all interested in what proposals are intended as an alternative for these street names and we do not go into the significance of the names, but we are interested in why these existing names are being changed? Let Jelovac give new names to the new streets made by the government to which it belongs. If Jelovac thinks that now his time has come that will last forever and that he can do what he wants with the city, he is seriously mistaken, and these names will last as long as he lasts, and that is very short. A few years mean nothing to history, but everyone's shame and iniquity will be remembered for a long time in this city, just as the iniquity of those it vehemently glorifies is remembered", stated the association whose president Goran Cavic.
They claim that by erasing the famous street names in Pljevlja, the local government is trying to erase from memory everything that is heroic, honorable and honest that they mean.
"Regardless of the current politicking and clerofascism that is spreading in Jelovac and the cliques around it, let's stay people, stay citizens, stay civilized and don't let the symbols of this city, which have lasted for 80 years, change overnight as some poisoned people want. We must be aware that such dishonorable actions by people who should responsibly exercise power, pacify people and create a place for normal life, instead lead the city to divisions that lead directly to conflicts, just as the advocates of this policy did in Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo and everywhere they fell. This city suffered worse occupations than this one, so this neo-Ocetnik one will also pass. We will remember all the evil that has been done, know its perpetrators and erase everything they have done the same day they leave. "We will ask the Municipal Council of Bobovo for the minutes of the Council of the Municipal Council meeting where these proposals were proposed and an explanation of the interest of the residents of Bobovo in changing the name of the street in Guka, Zlodol and Radosavac," the announcement states.
Jelovac refused to comment on the claims and insults made against him by the Association of NOR Fighters and Anti-Fascists.
"I don't want to comment because I know very well what kind of people they are, who represent that organization. They were convicted for their actions and attacks on journalists, and I don't want to look back on the accusations of those people who are the remnants of an old, failed and criminal regime," said Jelovac to "Vijesta".
Jelovac said that Jovan Dragutinović was the leader of the first rebellion against the occupiers on June 16, 1941, who was shot by the Italians after the July uprising.
"He was born in Bobovo and was the deputy minister of justice in the government of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. He did not leave the country in April 1941, but returned to Bobovo from Belgrade and on June 16 organized an attack on the Ustasha crew in Celebici, a village bordering Bobovo. He was shot in Pljevlja and was among the first victims shot by the Italian occupier," Jelovac said.
Speaking about the other proposals, Jelovac said that Garan Pupović was the leader of the Bobov Revolt, i.e. the Herzegovina Revolt in 1875, which he said was a prelude to the war with Turkey.
"It resulted in the victory and declaration of independence of Montenegro at the Berlin Congress in 1878," Jelovac said.
He also explained that the proposal is to name the part of the street of the current 37th division from the Zlodo stream to the top of Golubinje Filip Jelovac, who, as he points out, was a standard-bearer during the battle on Vuči dol in 1876 and one of the leaders of the Bobov Rebellion. He was also a member of the state commission of Montenegro for demarcation with Russia after the Berlin Congress.
The attempt to rename the streets was also condemned by the Municipal Board of DPS in Pljevlja.
From this opposition party, they called on the relevant institutions in Montenegro to stop this newly created evil that has loomed over Pljevlja.
"First of all, we call on the competent ministries, international organizations, but also the prosecutor's office, which should finally recognize the fascist intentions of the Pljeval government", said the DPS.
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