Liopetri, Cyprus. Akel Famagusta has called on Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas to reconsider the location of the “Modestos Panteli” military camp in Liopetri, citing concerns over its proximity to homes and a primary school. The party said residents have raised longstanding concerns about the military installation and storage facilities being located within a residential area.
Letter to the defence minister
In a letter to the defence minister, Akel’s Famagusta district committee said its intervention was prompted by what it described as reasonable concerns within the local community. It said the camp and military storage facilities are situated within the residential area and close to Liopetri’s first primary school.
Development of the area
The letter said the military camp was established around 1980 on land previously used as a community football ground. It added that while the primary school predates the camp, later residential development turned the area into a densely populated neighbourhood, leaving the military installation at the centre of a fully developed residential zone.
Comments from Akel Famagusta
Christos Nicolaou, head of Akel’s Famagusta branch, told the Cyprus Mail that it is unheard of for a military camp to be in the middle of a village, particularly next to a school.
Asked about the concerns involved, Nicolaou said he does not expect the defence ministry to disclose what is being kept at the facility and assumes the camp is not being used to store weapons or explosives. He added that if the camp’s operation were to change, this could become a real issue.
Nicolaou also said it is a concern when an armed soldier is on watch while children are playing.
Defence ministry response
In a statement to the Cyprus Mail, a defence ministry spokesman said the issue had been dealt with in the past and that actions were taken to remove any dangerous equipment. The spokesman added that there would be a response to Akel’s letter and that further statements would be made afterward.
Concerns over school proximity
Akel said in its letter that military storage facilities are located around the perimeter of the primary school, a situation it said has heightened concerns among residents, especially parents of children attending the school. The party said the local community should be fully informed about the use of these facilities and the safety measures in place to protect pupils and residents.
Party position
The party said its position was not directed against the National Guard or its role in defending the Republic, but concerned only the suitability of maintaining the military installation in its current location under present-day conditions.
Akel said the central issue was not whether an incident had occurred so far, but whether the continued presence of a military installation next to a school and residential area remained compatible with modern standards of public safety and urban planning. In the letter, the party said the protection of human life and the safety of citizens, particularly children attending the neighbouring primary school, must be the highest priority and should not be addressed only after an accident has occurred.
