Residents of Priluzje: They have taken everything from us, we fear for our survival

The citizens of Priluzje are disturbed after workers from the Post of Kosovo, assisted by the Kosovo Police, took over the building where the Post of Serbia had until recently operated and installed a Post of Kosovo sign. Speaking to Kosovo Online, they expressed concern for their survival in Kosovo.

On the building of the Serbian Post in Priluzje, which was closed on January 15, along with the Provisional Authority of the Municipality of Vucitrn and the Center for Social Work, there is now a sign that reads Post of Kosovo. Two vehicles belonging to the Kosovo Post and police are parked in front.

The president of the Provisional Authority of the Municipality of Vucitrn, Milan Kostic, told Kosovo Online that this is yet another attempt to intimidate Serbs.

“Kurti is using this situation to stir unrest among Serbs and to demonstrate force, he has no other policy. We have seen for months now how everything Serbian is being shut down. I believe this sends a message that no Serb should live in Kosovo and Metohija, and that he is doing this deliberately. He sees that he cannot establish governance and is likely trying to use the situation, to light a fuse and provoke a crisis,” Kostic said.

He urged citizens not to worry and assured them they would not be left without income.

“The state of Serbia and its institutions will continue to do their job. The people will not be left without salaries or services. We will prevail, we have overcome far greater empires, let alone Kurti and his like-minded followers,” Kostic said.

Residents of Priluzje who spoke to the Kosovo Online team said the situation is dire and that their basic human rights are being stripped away.

“It’s very bad for those of us living here, this is terrible for our survival. They have taken everything from us, next they will take our right to life and air,” Angelina Nacic said.

She fears the takeover of Serbian institutions will continue.

“All that is left is education and healthcare, and they will take that too, and after that, there is no Kosovo. Serbia must pay attention to what is happening here, or else we will all have to move away,” Nacic said.

Another resident of Priluzje said all public services have been denied to citizens.

“Now, for every little thing in such a large village, even though we have our own post office, we have to go elsewhere while this one stays closed. I don’t know where this is leading, it is not right. I have to pay 20 euros to go to Raska or Kursumlija to collect my pension, when I used to receive it right here. They have shut down the municipal office too. What’s left? Just the school and the clinic. They beat and arrest innocent people. If I did something wrong, let them arrest me, but I know they are arresting the innocent,” the resident said.