In Rostov Region, OMON hampers pensioners to block "Don" Highway

Militiamen and OMON (Special-Purpose Militia) fighters would not let miners-pensioners from the city of Zverevo, located in the Rostov Region, to block the Highway М-4 "Don". This was reported by one of the participants of the protest action.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that miners-pensioners are fighting for their privileges in payments for heating.

"There're more militiamen and OMON guys with shields and truncheons than us, pensioners, with walking-sticks and canes. They wouldn't let us to the road, but we aren't going to disperse," the "161.ru" quotes one of the protesters.

The ramps from the highway in direction to Zverevo are blocked by militia cars. Law enforcers do not explain the reasons of their actions and tell journalists to get to Zverevo by other roads.

Valery Dyakonov, a deputy of the local city duma, said that the Federal Highway "Don" is 10 kilometres off Zverevo. At about 10:00 a.m. Moscow time, the pensioners - former miners - drove out of the city in several private cars; however, they were stopped some 300 meters from the road, as reported by the "Rosbalt".

"Militiamen with truncheons in hands were standing in front of us," Valery Dyakonov said. "And behind them - two lines of OMON fighters with shields and truncheons. We were addressed through megaphone with threats of being fined."

According to the source, the decision to block the federal highway was made by the protesters yesterday, on September 7, in the course of their preventive action held on the overpass bridge.

The "Gazeta.Ru" writes that yesterday about 50 miners-pensioners stretched a 30-meter-long poster on the bridge running: "Miners-pensioners of Zverevo ask President for help".