KNIN COUNCIL SUPPORTS PROTECTION OF 50 KNIN FAMILIES

KNIN, Sept 10 (Hina)- The Croatian Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Construction has forwarded eviction papers to 200 addresses of Knin-based families temporarily residing in houses and apartments owned by Serb refugees as well as 50 families living in previously Serb owned houses. The eviction notices order these families to vacate these properties and move into their own reconstructed houses, reporters were told after a session of Knin authorities on Tuesday. #L# Knin authorities believe that the 50 Knin families who are currently occupying private houses without any official approval of temporary use of property should be given alternative housing or temporary accommodation. City authorities referred to statements by state officials that no one would be thrown out into the street and in the Law on Areas of Special State Concern, according to which temporary accommodation must be ensured to those families until permanent housing is made available. City authorities warned that families who do not have official approval to use someone else's property were issued a permanent residency status by Knin Police authorities and they must be treated as if they had papers to temporarily occupy the said houses because they were registered as such. The eviction notices to the 200 families whose apartments have been reconstructed with the funds from the state budget was expected but authorities in Knin believe these measures are harsh and that they could cause new emigration waves of Croats. (hina) sp it ha