Jovanovic: There are still bombs from 1999 near houses in Kisnica, no one is dealing with it

The President of the Local Security Committee in the Municipality of Gracanica, Snezana Jovanovic, told Kosovo Online that neither the authorities in Gracanica nor the local residents are being adequately informed or involved in efforts to clear the municipality of explosive devices left over from the 1999 NATO bombing.

Although the Japanese Embassy in Kosovo recently announced that Japan would invest in a demining project in the village of Livadje, Jovanovic says she has not been informed about this initiative.

"Perhaps the locals there know about it, but the municipality and security structures present in this area should also be properly informed," Jovanovic stated.

She explained that, as a member of the Security Committee and a resident of Kisnica, she has raised concerns over the years with KFOR and the police about unexploded bombs in Kisnica—some of which remain near residential homes.

"Some are close to houses where people live, for example, just 100 meters from my own home. No one has ever seriously addressed this issue. Inspections have been conducted, but no concrete actions have been taken. The area is part of the mining tailings zone, and perhaps that is why they are reluctant to deal with it—but I don't want to speculate. What is clear is that they do not care enough about people's safety to address this matter thoroughly.

A section of Zelenika Hill, where military warehouses were reportedly located, was examined by an organization a few years ago, but it is unclear what actions were taken. Authorities in Gracanica are not being contacted properly regarding this issue, nor is the local community, to ensure a comprehensive investigation," Jovanovic said.

The Japanese Embassy in Kosovo recently announced that Japan would invest nearly 200,000 euros in a project to remove landmines and cluster munition remnants from 26.48 hectares in the villages of Bajgora (Mitrovica municipality) and Livadje (Gracanica municipality) to improve living conditions for local residents.