Around 20 Serbs blocked the construction of six Albanian houses in Kroi i Vitakut, in northern Mitrovica, this morning. The construction company began its work at 08:00 but two hours later a group of around 20 Serbs blocked the road with their vehicles thus preventing construction trucks to reach the neighborhood. Nazmi Ismajli, who represents the residents of Kroi i Vitakut, confirmed to Kosovapress the halt of construction. “20 people led by Dragoljub, who is from this village, have blocked the road and stopped the construction of our houses. Dragoljub has been blocking the construction for three years now. There were also UNMIK representatives in the group,” Ismajli said.

Albanians later on blocked the construction of three buildings dedicated for Serbs. Emir Azemi, deputy chairman of the Mitrovica north municipal assembly, said Albanians don’t have to apply for construction permits because this concerns their houses that were demolished during the war. “If Serbs are permitted to construct high buildings that were not there before the war then why can’t Albanians rebuild their houses which were demolished during the war,” Azemi said.

Albanian and Serb residents of Kroi i Vitakut in northern Mitrovica have agreed to meet and discuss the problem surrounding the construction of houses and buildings there. Sources told the news website that the meeting will take place at 13:00 in the premises of the Administrative Office in the north. A decision will then be made on the reconstruction of six Albanian houses and the construction of three buildings for Serbs. The latest report from Kosovapress is that the two sides have now agreed to stop constructions for a week during which period parties can apply for construction permits.