Returnees from Vlasenica complain about water being shut off for Bajram, VIK claims a malfunction occurred

Pressure from local authorities on Bosniak returnees in Vlasenica continues 21 years after the end of the war.

Bosniaks from Vlasenica complain that the local Waterworks and Sewerage company shuts off their water every year for the Kurban-Bajram holiday. This has been happening for the past five years. Returnees, one of whom contacted Patria's newsroom, believe that such pressure is unnecessary, uncivilized, and does not contribute to reconciliation, which should be the ultimate goal for any normal person.

The Vlasenica Waterworks and Sewerage (VIK) confirmed to Patria that water was shut off for several hours on the second day of Kurban-Bajram. However, the company claims this was due to a malfunction in the water supply network, not for any other reason. Returnees do not believe it was a malfunction.

- How is it possible that for five consecutive years, during the observance of Kurban-Bajram, water disappears in settlements where the majority population is Bosniak? How is it possible that a malfunction occurs precisely on that day, every year – ask the indignant returnees.

During the armed aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the army and police of Republika Srpska killed more than 2,640 Bosniaks from Vlasenica, who were the majority population in Vlasenica until then. Among the killed were 265 children. A large number of Vlasenica women were raped. After the Dayton Peace Agreement, some Bosniaks returned to Vlasenica, but they are often oppressed by the local authorities.