Residents in the northwestern town of Bihac have on Monday once again gathered to protest against what they say is inaction by state authorities regarding the massive influx of migrants into the area, demanding that authorities resettle the migrants out of town and limit their movement.
“We demand security. Stop the arrival of migrants to Bihac,” local Sej Ramic told N1.
Thousands of migrants have entered Bosnia on their way toward EU countries since the year began.The country became a significant transit point for them after numerous surrounding countries closed their borders, with Bosnia now being described as a “migrant hotspot” among local officials.
The next stop after Bosnia for the migrants is mostly the country’s western neighbour, Croatia. Croatian border police, however, often turn them away from the border and back into Bosnia.
The northwestern towns of Bihac, Cazin and Velika Kladusa are located in the Una Sana Kanton (USK) and near Croatia’s border and are strongly affected by the situation.
Those attending the protest said it is not a protest against migrants, but a demand for authorities to resolve a situation they say has become unacceptable for the residents and the several thousand migrants there.
Locals have gathered on Saturday evening as well, temporarily blocking the Sarajevo Bihac highway, the Bihac bus station and preventing trains from arriving at the Bihac train station in order to stop the migrant influx into the city.
They also briefly gathered on Sunday morning and had announced that the protest will continue on Monday.
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