Hands Off Dimal!”/ Administrator of Kutalli Resigns During Protest Against Merger with Berat

Residents of Dimal have continued their protests against the Territorial Reform, which envisages removing Dimal Municipality from the map of local government units and merging it with Berat Municipality.

Protesters took to the streets carrying placards calling on the government not to interfere with Dimal’s territorial organization. According to them, the area plays an important role in agricultural development and the community’s livelihood.

“Hands off Dimal, we will defend it,” was one of the residents’ chants. They say the merger with Berat would create difficulties for citizens, particularly farmers in the administrative units of Kutalli, Cukalat and Poshnje.

Residents argue that the proposed change would make it more difficult to access services and local institutions.

During the rally, the administrator of the Kutalli Administrative Unit, Miço Rakazia, announced his resignation. “Since there will no longer be any services for citizens in Dimal, I am resigning,” Rakazia is reported to have said.

Residents said the protests would continue, while their demand remains that Dimal Municipality be preserved as a separate unit.