13:58, 16 November 2018

Calls for subbotnik in lands transferred to Chechnya triggers disputes in social networks

A territory near the village of Dattykh. Photo by Zurab Pliev for the "Caucasian Knot"

A proposal of Ingush activists to hold a volunteer clean-up day (subbotnik) in disputed territories after signing the Ingush-Chechen border agreement may increase disagreements of the two peoples, social network users assert.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the members of the teips (family clans), whose ancestral towers are located in the Sunzha District of Ingushetia near the Fortanga River, asked the Presidium of the World Congress of the Ingush People to help in organizing a subbotnik.

Some Facebook users have found the subbotnik idea provocative.

On November 13, Islam Dzangiev wrote on the Facebook that Chechen law enforcers would not let Ingushes to visit their ancestral towers.

The disputed territories house several ancestral towers of the Ingush clans of Merzhoevs, Bokovs, and Tsechoevs; after the enforcement of the new agreement, the Bokovs' tower is now in Chechnya, not in Ingushetia, the "Nastoyaschee Vremya" (Present Time) has reported.

"Earlier, activists had no idea to hold subbotniks and put the ancient towers in order... I don't understand why they've suddenly become concerned about the towers," said Khasan, a Grozny resident.

"The announcement by Ingush activists of a subbotnik in Chechen lands can be regarded as a challenge to Ramzan Kadyrov. A month ago he said that those who came here after the agreement and claim the ownership of these lands would be exposed to measures," said Adlan, an activist of a Chechen NGO.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 16, 2018 at 11:58 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: CK correspondent