Chechen residents pay tribute to victims of deportation, despite authorities' ban

Today marks the 74th anniversary of the deportation of Chechen and Ingush people to Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Chechnya holds no official events to mark the anniversary; however, residents of the republic say that they pay tribute to their deceased relatives, despite the authorities' ban.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in Chechnya, the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow was marked on February 23 until 2011, when the authorities decided to celebrate all Russian state holidays together with other regions.

Chechnya holds no events on the anniversary of deportation, but residents discuss the date in social networks and messengers.

So, on the other days, WhatsApp users disseminated an anonymous appeal to Chechen and Ingush people to open gates of their houses on February 23 (that is traditionally done in case of mourning in a house) and also to give alms on that day in memory of the people who died during the deportation.

The Chechens who survived the deportation have told that it is impossible to forget the hardships they had suffered.

"In 1944, I was seven years old... No one understood anything, women were crying, and we were given 20 minutes to gather our belongings. It was one of the worst days of my life. Most of all I remember the cold and hunger. There were five sisters and four brothers in our family. And only I returned from Kazakhstan," said Solsbek, a resident of Grozny.