Knežević Urges Zeta Residents to Reject Collector Project Plans

President of the Democratic People’s Party, Milan Knežević, has emphasized the necessity of respecting the will of the citizens of Zeta as they prepare to vote on a referendum regarding the construction of a collector in Botun. Knežević condemned any form of repression against the residents who oppose the project, linking the initiative to corruption.

During a recent interview, Knežević stated that the voices of the Zeta community should not be overlooked, asserting that the referendum outcome would be binding for the local government. “Legally and formally, the referendum regarding Zeta should not obligate Mr. Mujović. However, it will bind Mihailo Asanović, the President of the Municipality of Zeta, and all citizens, since the collector is planned for a location within the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Zeta,” he said.

Knežević specifically urged Saša Mujović, the Mayor of Podgorica, to refrain from following in the footsteps of former official Raško Konjević. He warned Mujović against using inspection authorities to intimidate the community, drawing parallels to the violent suppression of protests in 2015. “If Mujović desires to realize certain projects through force, I fear he will end up politically marginalized, possibly facing investigations,” Knežević cautioned.

He remarked that any coercive actions against Zeta residents who oppose the collector’s construction are unacceptable. Knežević stated, “We have already announced that the state is stronger than the citizens of Zeta and Botun. We will certainly offer passive resistance, and I do not expect anyone from the capital or the police administration to use force against citizens defending their right to life.”

The Democratic People’s Party leader underscored the serious allegations of corruption surrounding the collector project, claiming that substantial funds have been misappropriated to push this initiative at the expense of local communities. “Those with blood on their hands will face not only a crisis of conscience but also legal repercussions,” he concluded.

As the referendum date approaches, the tension surrounding the proposed collector project continues to rise, with community voices calling for transparency and accountability in local governance.