Kadyrov's instruction to control pupils worries residents of Chechnya

After a series of teenagers' attacks on law enforcers, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, instructed officials to collect information about viewpoints of schoolchildren and students. Residents of the republic treat it as an attempt to establish total control over children and youth.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 22, after a series of teenagers' attacks on law enforcers, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, laid on parents "personal responsibility for their children's actions." Residents of the Shali District of Chechnya told that law enforcers detained from 150 to 200 teenagers and released them after interrogations late at night.

On August 29, the Chechen government held an extended sitting, where the Chechen leader stated that with the start of school year, it is necessary to establish control over students in the republic and those, who have moved out of it. Kadyrov explained these measures by the recent teenagers' attacks on law enforcers.

"Those who train (teenagers) to explode and kill are very dangerous people. Therefore ... the school year starts; all the children will be at school – those who went on vacation, etc. <...> All children – who is doing what, how they study at school, what views they have, where everything comes from – we need to know everything; plus those who study outside, our young people," the Chechen leader said in his speech on August 29 in the night news programme shown by the "Grozny" TV Channel.

This statement by the republic's leader gave rise to fears among observers and local residents.

"It's unclear how they think to implement all this. Will they now start writing squeals on each other: children on each other; teachers on their pupils; or parents on their children? It's quite an unclear situation. To be honest, I'm now scared for my children, especially for the son, who is a high school pupil," Luiza, a resident of Grozny, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"It looks like we are returning to Stalinism, with the total control of all of everyone. It is not clear how this will help Kadyrov in his fight against extremist ideology," said Marina, a teacher at a Grozny school.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 30, 2018 at 05:58 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.