Demolition of sign in Kizlyar reveals tensions around border with Chechnya

The dismantling of the Chechen sign near Kizlyar was a result of the policy of Dagestani authorities, who have ignored the tension surrounding the border issue, the journalists and the blogger, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", have stated.

Earlier, Magomed Daudov, Speaker of the Chechen Parliament, said that the dismantled signs would be reinstalled. In his turn, Vladimir Vasiliev, the head of Dagestan, stated that the republic would not unilaterally cede its territory.

The demolition of the Chechen signpost became an expression of public distrust of Dagestani authorities, Milrad Fatullaev, the editor-in-chief of the RIA "Derbent", believes. On the border issue, the republic's leadership has demonstrated its weakness and the absence of a clearly expressed position, Mr Fatullaev has stressed, adding that "the fear that Dagestan might lose its territory, prompted Kizlyar youth to take spontaneous and rash actions."

The demolition of road signs can lead to serious consequences, one of them is a serious damage to the image of Dagestani authorities, the editor-in-chief of the RIA "Derbent" has concluded.

Magomed Magomedov, a columnist for the "Chernovik" weekly, has noted that the incident was caused by the authorities' inaction, who failed to inform residents about the process.

According to Gadjimurad Sagitov, the editor-in-chief of the "Novoye Delo" newspaper, the Dagestani authorities proved to be unprepared for the aggravation of the situation and protests.

The lack of information about the clarification of the border with Chechnya is alarming Dagestani residents and can lead to mass protests, like in Ingushetia, Eduard Urazaev, a political analyst, and Shakhrudin Khalidov, a political observer, stated back in January.