The government has condemned violent incidents that took place on Sunday evening in Chloraka, Pafos.

“What has happened yesterday in Chloraka is reprehensible” Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letympiotis said here today and emphasised that effective management of immigration is among the government's priorities.

In statements at the Presidential Palace, Letymbiotis said that violence and the violation of public safety is not something we can accept in a state where the rule of law prevails and stressed that “violence begets violence”.

“There are specific institutions, there are the security bodies, which will be able to ensure public safety," he noted.

The Spokesperson recalled that there is an ongoing operation for the implementation of the 2021 decree of the Pafos District, assuring that the apartment complex will be vacated and sealed in two weeks so that the decree can be implemented.

He also pointed out “the necessity of setting up the Deputy Ministry of Immigration”, for which, as he reminded the relevant Bill has already been forwarded to Parliament since June.

As he added, it is expected that as the Parliament resumes work in September the Bill will be discussed as soon as possible.

Asked to comment on criticism for insufficient policing, the Spokesperson said that Police Chief himself went yesterday afternoon in the area and that policing was reinforced with special forces.

"The Police have already made arrests and have in their possession closed-circuit video material which they will investigate in order to be able to bring to justice those who consciously either organised or took part in these episodes," he said.

A demonstration against Chloraka becoming a migrant ghetto on Sunday evening was followed by altercations among different groups of people and vandalisms during which damage was caused to cars, houses and shops in the area.