by Lt.-Cdr. Philip Anido, KFOR Spokesperson
Pristina, 06 February 2000
The situation in Mitrovica was quiet
last night and there were no significant incidents to report. KFOR and
UNMIK police enforced the curfew from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. this morning.
KFOR patrols are present throughout the city and vehicle checkpoints are controlling the access routes within and into Mitrovica. KFOR United Arab Emirates patrols are controlling traffic entering the northern city via the Pristina to Mitrovica highway.
The KFOR French-led Multinational Brigade North has been reinforced with mechanized infantry companies and Military Police from the other brigades. French, German, Italian, Belgian and Danish riot-trained and equipped soldiers are spread throughout the North and South parts of the city to ensure that the streets remain peaceful.
Events and incidents in Kosovo during the last 24 hours:
Demonstrations
Yesterday just before noon, approximately 200 Albanian peaceful demonstrators, protesting the events in Mitrovica, blocked traffic for an hour south of Urosevac. KFOR infantry and Military Police were at the scene.
Shootings and Murders
Yesterday evening in MNB East, local citizens reported an armed robbery to KFOR Military Police. Three masked men broke into an Albanian owned home and are alleged to have stolen a valuable quantity of gold. The owner was stabbed during the robbery. KFOR Military Police are investigating.
Yesterday in Dakovica (MNB West), an Albanian girl was accidentally shot and injured by her cousin. KFOR soldiers took her to the civilian hospital.
Yesterday in Dakovica (MNB West), during the clean up of a rubbish dump, KFOR troops were alerted to the discovery of three skeletons of a man, a woman and a child. Initial information indicates that the people died some 10 months ago.
Just after midnight this morning, a KFOR UK patrol responded to shooting near the B-52 Bar (MNB Centre) and arrested one Albanian man. An Albanian man was shot in the leg and another man was stabbed. The incident erupted from anger and retaliation. UNMIK police are investigating.
Weapons Confiscated; Arrests Made
Yesterday evening in Deneral Jankovic (MNB East), a 15-year old boy accidentally detonated a mine he was playing with. He is being treated in the Camp Bondsteel Hospital for wounds to his leg and arms.
Last night, KFOR troops in Klokot (MNB East) arrested a man on a weapons violation and for breaking the local curfew. His pistol was confiscated.
Yesterday in Suvo Grlo and Crkolez (MNB West), KFOR troops confiscated an AK-47, two pistols and ammunition in two separate building searches.
House fire
Just before 5 o'clock yesterday morning KFOR troops went to a blaze in an unoccupied Serb-owned house in Kosovo Polje (MNB Centre). UNMIK police are investigating.