Eurasia Press & News
Some 100 Serbs have protested on Saturday in Mitrovica’s North against the reconstruction process of houses in Kroi I Vitkaut/Brdani neighborhood, populated by local Albanians.
The protesters, who gathered around at 10 am, attempted to penetrate by force the police cordon to reach the location where the reconstruction process has been initiated, reports Kosovo’s Police.
“Kosovo Police forces alongside EULEX police barricaded the protesters from approaching that part of the neighbourhood, in order to prohibit possible violent incidents”, reads the report.
According to the report, the police sought to use tear gas, as a result of “the circumstances in the territory”.
While no injured were reported, the protesters were dispersed peacefully around 13:00.
Kosovo’s Police, aided by EULEX policemen and KFOR troops, have increased their presence in the field to ensure that no incidents occur while the reconstruction continues.
The town of Mitrovica has been a flashpoint since Kosovo’s Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Some 20,000 Serbs who live in the north of the town still vehemently reject the secession.
The Iber/Ibar river divides the city in two parts, with the Albanians controlling the Southern part and the Serbs controlling the Northern part.
