Local Residents Demand Dialogue with Officials in Botun

Residents of Botun, a village in the Zeta region, gathered today to express their concerns regarding the proposed construction of a wastewater treatment facility. The demonstration followed a call from Milan Knežević, leader of the Democratic People’s Party, who addressed the crowd and emphasized the need for dialogue with government officials.

Knežević criticized the lack of communication from local authorities, particularly targeting Šćepanović, whom he claimed had ignored previous requests from the Botun community. “There are no lies, no deception in Zeta. We issued a request to Mr. Šćepanović with signatures from the residents of Botun on August 28, 2023. Three months have passed; even if he were in Beijing, he would have met with us by now if they had walked,” Knežević stated, urging for more responsiveness from local leaders.

The call for a meeting has been further intensified by the perceived neglect from both Šćepanović and another official, Spajić. Knežević appealed to Bećić, a prominent local figure, to facilitate a conversation between the residents and the authorities. “We ask Mr. Bečić to meet with these people to help ease the tensions,” he added.

The situation has become increasingly strained as community members feel their voices are not being heard. The gathering today served as a platform for residents to unite and seek clarity on the implications of the wastewater treatment facility and its potential impact on their lives.

As the tensions persist, community leaders emphasize the importance of establishing a constructive dialogue. Local residents are hopeful that their requests for engagement will be met with the seriousness they deserve, fostering a cooperative approach to addressing their concerns.