Sjenica remains under emergency rule amid landfill blockade

Sjenica municipality in Serbia remains under a state of emergency as villagers continue to block the "Goveđak" landfill. The blockade, initiated by residents of surrounding villages nearly two months ago, prevents the disposal of waste.

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The municipality does not have enough authority to solve the problem on its own, and the institutions that have that possibility are not reacting.

Sjenica Mayor Mersija Camović-Rebronja stated that the municipal leadership has done all it can to resolve the crisis but lacks the authority to act independently. She criticized institutions with the power to intervene for their inaction. Camović-Rebronja also reiterated her criminal complaint against Nermin Ljajić, the head of the Novi Pazar Police Administration, for failing to act. She warned that if the police continue to refuse their duties, the situation could escalate to the District Crisis Staff and the Serbian government.

The villagers argue that "Goveđak" is an unsanitary and illegal dump and demand its closure. Similar waste disposal issues plague Novi Pazar and Tutin, whose shared "Golo brdo" landfill has been blocked since last summer. This has led to waste being transported to other cities, causing an over 80% increase in garbage collection fees in Novi Pazar.

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We expect urgent action from the prosecution. If the police continue to refuse to do their job, the situation will escalate at the District Crisis Staff and the Government of Serbia.

Usame Zukorlić, president of the Party of Justice and Reconciliation, called for joint action to address environmental problems in the Sandžak region, emphasizing the need for an urgent, responsible, and coordinated response from all relevant political and social actors to the situation in Sjenica, Novi Pazar, and Tutin.

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The situation in Sjenica, Novi Pazar, and Tutin requires an urgent, responsible, and coordinated response from all relevant political and social actors.