Podgorica, (MINA) – Residents of Botun have announced that starting Monday they will radicalize protests against the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in this Zeta settlement.

Local resident Dimitrije Raickovic said during Saturday’s protest in Botun, that there have been a lot of unfulfilled promises and repeated claims that everything is being carried out in line with the law, “while the law is being applied selectively”.

“Today, our message is clear: as of Monday, we will radicalize the protests, the roadblocks will no longer last three, but six hours – from 6 a.m. to noon”, Raickovic said.

He said that the roadblocks also mean that workers will not be allowed to enter the construction site.

“This is not just a fight for Botun, this is a fight for respect for the law, for the referendum, dignity and for the future of the entire Zeta. We are not only defending our land, but our right to ensure that the decisions we make are upheld and defend the future of our children”, Raickovic said.

Resident Dusko Stijepovc said that they gathered to peacefully express their concern about, as he said, excavation of the materials during the construction works at the plant which the residents believe may be harmful to human health and the environment.

He expressed hope that the Center for Ecotoxicological Testing (CETI) will act professionally and impartially, and decide whether the material is hazardous, or poses no risk to the environment.

Stijepovic added that residents expect the works to be suspended until the end of the CETI proceedings.

He stated that an agreement had been reached to begin remediation of the red mud basin at the same time.

“As far as we can see, nothing has been done in this regard. We are waiting for an answer and information from the Government on how far they have come and what steps have been taken”, Stijepovic added.

Leader of the Democratic People’s Party Milan Knezevic, and President of the Municipality of Zeta Mihailo Asanovic, also attended the protest in Botun.