Infrastructure works continue through Serbian estates in Banov Do

In the presence of the Kosovo Police, construction works on the road to the Albanian village of Vidomiric have continued, despite the opposition of residents from the villages of Korilje, Doljevac, Zerovnica, and Banov Do, who attempted to block the construction because the road passes through their estates.

Milan Ignjatovic from Banov Do, through whose estate this road passes, told Kosovo Online that the construction workers had continued excavating the land, despite all efforts and unsuccessful negotiations between the residents, representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Kosovo Police, and EULEX to halt the construction.

"These days there is really a great occupation of our people. Families Ignjatovic and Neskovic live here. They cut off our water; we didn't have water until a few days ago. The construction works were halted for three days until yesterday for us to negotiate with them about further steps. However, yesterday they entered with machines, as you can see what is happening. This is truly unbelievable. Today is also our family's patron saint celebration, and we can't even celebrate the patron saint next to these occupiers", Milan Ignjatovic says.

He said that they had talked to the police and the construction workers, and they had been told that they were working for their army and police.

"They are building a kind of a base, but all of this is private land. They say it's their route, that there was already a road here. There was never a road here; I have the land ownership document from my father and uncle. My uncle cultivated these plum trees for years, and now everything is destroyed. This is beyond belief", Milan emphasizes.

He adds that life in such conditions is difficult, especially on the patron saint day of his family.

"I can't celebrate the patron saint; I came to show what is happening to us, for Serbia and everyone to see what is happening to us. This is incredible", Milan said.

Budimir Ignjatovic, who also lives on the estate in Banov Do, told Kosovo Online that the Kosovo police were depriving them of the right to their property.

"This is the Ignjatovic and Neskovic estate. I lived in that old house up there; our late father had ten children, and a total of 12 of us lived here. Until ten years ago. When I heard that this was happening, I came and looked, I couldn't believe it. I went to the house to get some water, came out, and I fell. It took me two hours to recover. We have no rights. We have no rights at all. This estate is ours; we have the ownership document. We know it's ours, but it isn't, now it's theirs", Budimir said and added that no one wanted to listen to them.

"They can only come at night to slaughter us, let them kill us, better that way than living like this. We are slaves. We are surrounded, living in abnormal conditions. It is a shame for our government, a shame for their government, to behave like this. KFOR came to protect them, not us. They can go freely; we don't attack anyone, but they protect them and attack us. Let them do it, there is a God; we will see. Maybe I won't live to see it, but someone will. As you sow, so shall you reap, and may God punish them", Budimir said.

Zvonimir Ignjatovic also spoke about the road construction and said that the villagers had heard last week that work on this illegal road had begun.

"I went to the construction site, talked to the contractors, and told them that it was private property and that we had built a village water supply system along that road, funded from our own resources. I asked them not to proceed further since it is our property, and to discuss the next steps. However, they didn't respect that at all; instead, they continued with their work. On Saturday, we reached an agreement to suspend the work until further notice. However, today, with the assistance of the Kosovo Police and almost the application of force and the threat of arrest, they continued their work, passing through our property without asking anyone. They are now asking for a meeting; to be honest, I don't know what to do next. Work has resumed despite our pleas and demands for suspension", Zvonimir emphasized.