Cetinje - Nikšić roundabout blockade completed

The residents of Botuni blocked traffic on the Cetinje-Nikšić roundabout for more than an hour.

The blockade began around 3 p.m. and lasted until around 5:30 p.m.

This roundabout is one of the busiest traffic routes in the city.

Police officers on the scene told reporters from "Vijesti" that they had not been notified of the blockade.

Police patrols near the roundabout regulated traffic and directed drivers to alternative routes during the blockade.

The president of the Democratic People's Party (DNP), Milan Knežević, said that the residents of Botuni are not, as he stated, "savages", but people who are fighting for the health and future of their families, emphasizing that many of them have oncological patients in their households or deceased family members who died from diseases caused by pollution.

He stated that, in his words, they are forced to fight for the future of their grandchildren and assessed that they have support throughout Montenegro in this, with the message that they will certainly not give up on the protest.

Knežević assessed that Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović should not participate in negotiations with the residents of Botuni regarding the construction of a wastewater treatment plant. According to him, the dialogue should be conducted with the head of the mayor's office, Vesna Brajović, who he claims is in practice performing the function of an "informal mayor", as well as with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.

Knežević apologized to the citizens of Podgorica for the problems they are experiencing due to traffic blockages, stating that the responsibility for such a situation lies with the representatives of the city administration. He pointed out that the residents of Botuni and Zeta do not enjoy having to stop traffic every day, but that, as he stated, it is the only way to fight for a healthy environment in Zeta.

Botun resident Ilija Raičković said that the unannounced blockades of several busy intersections will continue until the authorities from the capital withdraw the machinery from the KAP industrial zone and abandon the construction of a wastewater treatment plant (WTP) at that location. He stressed that no one can intimidate the locals.

Bojan Terzić from the Zeta village of Srpska apologized to the citizens of Podgorica for the problems they are suffering due to the blockades, but stated that the protests are a direct consequence of the moves of the Capital City and the city's water company towards Botun. He said that the locals will not give up on the protests, but will organize them daily, further radicalize them and expand them to the entire territory of Montenegro.

Botun resident Peđa Stojanović said that the protests will not stop until the construction of the WWTP in the settlement is abandoned. He said that he expects Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to arrive in Botun, while he is asking Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović to stop the works at the site.

Boris Ćetković from Botun said that in recent days, he claims, there has been strong pressure on the locals. He stated that his pension was blocked due to a debt of 2.700 euros to the city's water utility, and that his house was searched about fifteen days ago. He said that such moves will not discourage them and that they will not give up the fight.

Yesterday, residents of Botuni blocked traffic at the roundabout in Zabjelo and at the roundabout in Donja Gorica.