Citizens of North Mitrovica on the increased presence of special units: repression and pressure

After the explosion at the "Ibar-Lepenac" canal, several hundred special units of the Kosovo Police were deployed across four northern municipalities, patrolling the towns with long guns. Residents of North Mitrovica told Kosovo Online that they feel uneasy about their presence and that they view it as repression and increased pressure on the Serbian community.

"We have no idea why they are here. We don't know the reason for such a large deployment. Based on what our politicians say, they don't even have the right to be here. But it seems they exploit the situation and can do as they please. They act as the only authority maintaining some sort of order. However, I think this will last only until the new elections. After that, I hope our people will also participate," an elderly man said.

"As for the politics of Pristina and Kurti, who has lost his way, I don’t know what he’s doing. I think this doesn’t benefit them. Creating such tensions isn't right, and it will backfire on those who carry it out," he added.

Another local resident suggested that the situation benefits those who want to drive Serbs out of Kosovo.

"This is abnormal. In normal countries, you don't see so much police presence. Serbs in Kosovo are in their own country. They are not a hostile element to Kosovo, Serbia, or any other state in the world. This incident happened at that canal. No one knows who caused the explosion. People from that village were arrested prematurely by the police. Those villagers aren’t crazy to harm themselves. They use the canal water for irrigation, to water their livestock. I don't understand how long this will last. Who benefits from this? Those who aim to expel Serbs from Kosovo and solidify their statehood," he said.

The construction of additional police stations was described as "nonsense."

"People are intimidated by police carrying long guns, with grim faces and armed to the teeth. Are they trying to scare people into fleeing Kosovo for Serbia? If that is the goal, they can keep building. But this shouldn’t be the aim of either Pristina or Belgrade. Kosovo should be multiethnic. We should all live in peace and harmony, and reach agreements. Kurti cannot make decisions without the other side. Serbs shouldn't just be a minority. Numerically, they may be fewer, but historically, they have a right to their share and should be a constitutive part of Kosovo. No decision should be made without their consent, there should be no outvoting," he said.

One woman emphasized that the Serbian people will endure despite the large police presence in the north.

"What can I say? The general police shouldn't be here. They should resolve their issues in their own area. We are a peaceful people, not inclined to tension. What should we do, given everything we have endured in life? It's a disaster. But we are a people who aim to stay and love our country. That’s what keeps us going," she said, adding that the people in the north will withstand the presence of more police stations.

Her fellow citizen noted that he has long since become accustomed to such circumstances.

"Some people are frightened, whether at home or elsewhere. It is not easy, but it would be better if they weren’t here. Still, what can we do? You can’t change anything. There will be ten more stations – every day, two more. No one is stopping them. It is their state, backed by the West and major powers. No one can do anything here. People can only protect themselves and stay safe," he explained.

A younger resident stated that this is another form of pressure aimed at encouraging people to leave.

"This is classic repression, pressure on people to leave. It’s simply not pleasant to see police officers with long guns. Imagine how children feel passing by them. That is what it is – pressure. These aren’t police bases; they’re military bases. By their nature, these are stations, but they are actually military in function. It’s just that this military force is in police uniforms," he concluded.