A new incident involving an alleged violation of the buffer zone in Avlona was recorded on Sunday, according to community leader Menelaos Savva.
Speaking to the newspaper of Western Nicosia, Savva said two people entered the neutral zone and carried out work with a tractor and other agricultural equipment to cut grass. He said they remained in the area despite instructions from the United Nations to leave.
According to Savva, one of the two individuals is known to the authorities of the Republic and is allegedly related to the so-called community leader of Avlona in the north. He added that the same family appears to be repeatedly carrying out activities inside the neutral zone.
Savva said the individuals were taking advantage of the fact that the area has been designated by the United Nations as “frozen”.
He said UN personnel had told them that cultivation was not permitted, requested documentation regarding the ownership status of the land and asked them to leave, but received no response.
Savva added that the UN said force could not be used and that it was coordinating with the Turkish Cypriot side on how to handle the situation.