Kreho: Construction of hydropower plant on Kruščica threatens Zenica's water supply

If a mini hydropower plant is built on the Kruščica river near Vitez, Zenica's water supply will be endangered, civil activist Hasan Kreho warned in an interview with the Patria agency, after police on Thursday morning broke up protests by residents of Kruščica who tried to stop the construction of two mini hydropower plants near their village.

"Given that the city of Zenica is mostly supplied with water from the source of the Kruščica river, today's act of force against residents who stood up to defend the river is also an attack on the vital interests of Zenica's citizens," said Kreho, calling on Zenica's residents to join the residents of Kruščica in defending the water protection zone in this village near Vitez.

Members of the Special Unit of the Ministry of Interior of the Central Bosnia Canton injured several women in the village of Kruščica this morning, including pregnant women, after the women tried to block the construction of a mini hydropower plant in this location.

Residents have been blocking the local bridge for several days to prevent machinery from reaching the construction site, but special forces removed them from the bridge this morning, during which several women were injured.

Resident Muris Đelilović earlier confirmed to Patria that special forces arrived to ensure an unobstructed passage for machinery, which led to the use of force.

"It was horrifying," said Đelilović, visibly shaken.

The dispute between the residents of Kruščica and the investor has been ongoing for years. Đelilović accuses former SDA mayor Advan Akeljić of granting some of the most beautiful parts of their village under concession to the company HIGRACON d.o.o. Sarajevo.

"The story about the construction of two mini hydropower plants on the Kruščica river began during the term of municipality mayor Vlado Alilović. He did not want to grant a concession for the Kruščica river at the time, despite enormous pressure from the SDA to do so. When Alilović left office, the river was granted under concession by SDA mayor Akeljić, and the current authorities continued to support the project," said Đelilović.

The Ministry of Interior of the Central Bosnia Canton announced this morning that inspectors from the Internal Control Department of the Ministry were dispatched to the scene to monitor the legality of police officers' actions. It was also stated that the cantonal prosecutor has been informed of the case, and that legally prescribed measures and actions will be taken against the residents who blocked the local road, NAP reports.