Ugljevik residents clash with acting RITE director Novaković and Municipal Assembly President Radovanović

(Patria) - Residents of several villages in the Ugljevik area gathered today in front of the Municipal Assembly building, expressing dissatisfaction with mining works which they claim are seriously endangering their property and making normal life impossible.

During an address to the media in front of the municipal building, BN Television reports, a verbal clash occurred between some residents and the acting director of RITE Ugljevik, Žarko Novaković, and subsequently with the Vice-President of the Municipal Assembly, Petar Radovanović.

According to the gathered residents, the mining operations have led to landslides, severed local roads, and frequent power and water outages, leaving some households practically cut off. Life under such conditions, the residents state, has become unbearable, which prompted them to take to the streets and demand an urgent reaction from the competent institutions.

According to the residents, the mining works directly threaten their homes, properties, and infrastructure, while the expropriation process has not been carried out in a timely manner. Many, they say, have already been forced to leave their homes without receiving compensation. Therefore, they demand urgent expropriation, the provision of basic living conditions, and the determination of criminal responsibility for the damage caused.

The gathered residents also requested that the Government of Republika Srpska be involved in resolving the problem, emphasizing that the state must take responsibility.

"If there is money for the Viadukt and casinos, there must be money for Ugljevik too," the residents stated.