Police are facing criticism over their handling of a livestock farmers’ protest at Rizoelia, after demonstrators blocked all exits at the roundabout for several hours despite assurances that one traffic lane would remain open.
The move caused traffic chaos and left hundreds of drivers trapped. Delays were also reported in the passage of officials travelling to Ayia Napa for a working dinner held as part of the informal summit of EU leaders.
The protest lasted more than 12 hours, with livestock farmers leaving the area on their own shortly before 1 am on Friday. Before departing, they lit barbecues and set up a tent, chairs and tables at the roundabout, in scenes reminiscent of the hunters’ protest on the Limassol-Nicosia road.
Phileleftheros understands that Justice Minister Costas Fytiris is among those who believe the police plan did not fully succeed. Fytiris went to the scene and was verbally confronted by protesters.
He is said to be unhappy with the police planning and handling of the protest, after the force’s leadership had given specific assurances that measures would be taken to prevent traffic disruption.
Police, however, said they achieved their objective. “We prepared an action plan for the livestock farmers’ protests and tried, as far as possible, to prioritise the inconvenience to citizens, as well as the safe conduct of the meeting,” police spokesman Vyronas Vyronos told state television.
He added: “We chose to handle it calmly, to be present so that proper coordination could take place. We chose not to escalate the sensitive situation. We implemented the alternative plans and believe we achieved our objective.”
Meanwhile, the livestock farmers warned on Friday of fresh protests unless animal culls stop, and called for a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides.
Their representative, Stella Petrou, told the Cyprus News Agency that they left Rizoelia to avoid inconveniencing people going to work.
She said a letter would soon be sent to Christodoulides asking him to meet them. “If he does not see us, the situation will escalate,” she said, adding that organisations and associations not linked to livestock farming were ready to support them with heavy vehicles.
Petrou said not all livestock farmers shared their position. “Not everyone understands. They think it will not reach their own home, but it will reach everyone. This thing does not stop anywhere,” she said.
