16 October 2018, 16:31
Political analysts praise authorities for not using force in Magas
Political analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have expressed the opinion that the rally held in Magas against the signed agreement on the establishment of the border between Ingushetia and Chechnya is a unique phenomenon for Russia. According to the experts, the dispersal of the action would have provoked the people's anger.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since October 4, Magas hosts the protest action against the establishment of the new administrative border with Chechnya. The protestors demand the referendum on the border issue and the resignation of the republic's leader, who signed the border agreement with Chechnya.
The unsanctioned protest held with no use of force from the authorities is a unique situation in Russia, notes political analyst Alexei Malashenko.
On October 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time reacted to the protest action in Magas. According to Yunus-Bek Evkurov, President Putin called him and warned him against the forceful dispersal of the rally.
He believes the decision not to use force against the protesters in Magas was made taking into account clashes between fighters of the National Guard of Russia and local residents in the village of Kendelen.
Historians mentioned a land dispute as the main cause of the conflict in the Kendelen village.
Nikolai Silaev, a scientist engaged in oriental studies, also believes that Magas faces a rare situation for Russia, when the protest action was unsanctioned, but the authorities did not use force.
Such protests can occur throughout Russia, if a reason is equally serious, believes historian Alexander Skakov. According to him, the authorities' decision not to disperse the rally was the completely right one.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 16, 2018 at 05:55 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Gor Alexanyan Source: CK correspondent
