20 September 2007, 19:31
After meeting in Nazran, situation in Ingushetia has stabilized
The situation in the Ingush city of Nazran, where on September 19 clashes burst out between the residents of Ingushetia who rallied to a spontaneous protest meeting and the militia, is now more stable.
The protest action that was provoked by kidnapping of two residents of Surkhakhi settlement - the Aushev brothers - was rolled up this night after the brothers were released.
Currentry, the traffic in the Chechenskaya Street, which was blocked the whole day yesterday by the protesters, is restored. Cartridge-cases and splinters of broken glass at the roadway are the only reminders of yesterday's collision.
The non-sanctioned meeting with 200-500 participants lasted all day long on September 18.
By the evening, additional militia forces were brought to the area. After unsuccessful attempts to persuade people to go home, OMON (special militia) fighters tried to disperse people by force, however, they faced resistance. The meeting participants showered them with stones. Several persons from both parties were injured.
One of Aushevs' relatives told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the kidnapped brothers were found in the Shatoi District of Chechnya. The relatives were informed about it by the employees of local ROVD (District Interior Unit), where the young people addressed for help.
"They were thrown into the cellar and lifted up for beatings and tortures with electricity. However, nothing was asked from them, and they were not interrogated. Now they are in a poor state of health. We are going to bring the information about what has happened to the country's leadership and prepare corresponding applications to the President of the Russian Federation, General Public prosecutor of Russia, Minister of Internal Affairs and other power officials," one of the relatives said.
Author: Timur Khamkhoyev, CK correspondent