Residents of Chechnya claim being forced to take part in celebration of Day of Russia

In Grozny, according to the Mayor's Office, the rally on the occasion of the Day of Russia was attended by tens of thousands of people. Public employees and students claimed that they took part in the event not voluntary.

The rally dedicated to the Day of Russia was attended by several tens of thousands of people, including employees of ministries and other public institutions, students, and senior school pupils. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" by a staff member of the Grozny administration. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Chechnya, the celebrations were held without any serious incidents.

According to residents of Grozny and participants of the rally, the celebrations were held under enhanced security measures. In the city centre, enhanced police and military cordons were organized almost everywhere.

Some city residents have reported that their participation in the celebration was not voluntarily.

"This is not the first time when we play a role as actors in crowd scene. And it is better, of course, to go to a concert than to sit in a stuffy auditorium. So, most of students did not mind to take part in the rally," said Aslan, a student of the Chechen State University.

Some of the residents of the republic have confessed they are not aware what kind of holiday is celebrated on June 12.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.