Officials blame social network users for conflict in Kendelen

The Kabardians vs. Balkars confrontation in the village of Kendelen was arranged by provocateurs, who had fuelled the conflict in social networks, the head of the Federal Agency for Nationalities' Matters and the Deputy Minister for Nationalities of the neighbouring Karachay-Cherkessian Republic (KChR) have stated. Many social network users have supported the calls to end the conflict.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the celebration of the Adyg Day in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) passed at the background of the conflict of Balkars and Kabardians around the historical interpretation of the Kanjali Battle. On September 18, Kendelen villagers refused to let the participants of the march in memory of the 310th anniversary of the Kanjali Battle through their village, which caused clashes.

The situation in the village of Kendelen and other KBR dwelling settlements has stabilized after Igor Romashkin, the KBR Interior Minister, addressed the conflicting parties.

Islam Khubiev, the KChR first deputy minister for nationalities, has treated the organizers of clashes as manipulators and urged young people in the KBR not to succumb to provocations.

"You are two fraternal nations living in a flourishing republic; should be together," Mr Khubiev said in his video posted in his Instagram.

Many social network users from the KBR and other regions of Northern Caucasus have urged the parties to stop the confrontation. However, some of them continue finding out which party of the confrontation in Kendelen is right.