Efforts to resume construction brought another clash for the residents of Kurdaria in the municipality of Klos, as residents continue to protest against the construction of the hydroelectric power plant.
Four residents of the village of Kurdari in the municipality of Klos were escorted by the Mati Police on Wednesday, after a clash with the administrator of the company that is building the "Doma" hydroelectric power plant on the Lusa River.
Residents, who oppose the construction of the hydroelectric power plant, were detained by police after claims by the administrator of the company "Global Interprise Group" and an employee of a private security company that they had been threatened and that their road had been blocked.
Dozens of relatives and villagers gathered in front of the Mat Police Station in support of those escorted. They described the escort as unfair and told BIRN that the clash was accidental and non-violent.
"I don't know where the company representative finds the courage to come to the village. We told him, go get the municipality representative and come before the people. If he gets the agreement, good job. Today we met him by chance and there was only an argument on the street, without harming anyone. I begged him to leave and not enter into hostility with the people of Kurdaria," said Avdulla Avdulli, one of the residents escorted.
Residents of Kurdaria say their village has become a surveillance zone for the hydroelectric power plant construction company. According to them, the company has installed security cameras near roads, bushes, and areas where machinery is located, to let them know that their every move is being monitored.
"The village has become like Big Brother, they film us everywhere. They even put cameras in the bushes and oak trees. I don't know if they are monitored as much on television as we are. They put a million cameras there, they don't come. Forget it," said Xhevahir Perlati, another resident.
After repeated protests by residents, the HPP works were suspended on part of the project route. This week, the company has again attempted to resume field work, starting to dig a channel for the installation of a pipeline about 4.4 kilometers long, which will divert part of the flow of the Lusë River.
Sabri Burreli described the situation as unacceptable, while waiting in front of the Mati Police Station for his fellow villagers to be escorted out.
"It's terrible what is being done to these people in the middle of August and the heat. We have said a big 'no' to them. Instead of staying in our troubles, today they are harassing us on the streets. They have started the works from the downstream to throw ash in our eyes. They have fearlessly opened up about 1.5 kilometers thick. If this is allowed, they will continue in a chain until the mouth of the Lusa River, leaving an entire area that is the granary of Mat, Klos and Bulqiza dry," Burreli told BIRN.
This is not the first clash between residents and the construction company. Previously, four residents were prosecuted after demanding the cessation of construction work and the removal of machinery from the area, which led to physical clashes.
The construction of the “Doma” HPP in the Suç administrative unit of Klos is part of a project that also envisages the construction of two hydropower plants on the Lusë River. Residents claim that they have not been involved in any public hearing process. Residents claim that the construction of the hydropower plant will have serious consequences for the community. According to them, the diversion of the Lusë River will affect water resources used for irrigation, endangering agricultural lands, orchards and livestock, which are the main source of income for families in the area.
In previous statements to BIRN, company representatives have stated that the project’s footprint is located about 300 meters below the residential area and “does not directly affect the interests of residents.” They have also warned that, in case of obstacles, they will seek the intervention of law enforcement institutions to continue the works. /BIRN/
