Tightening of travel control irritates residents of Chechnya

The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has ordered to toughen control over the travels of residents of the republic due to violations of the self-isolation regime. Grozny residents have complained about law enforcers' checks of public transport passengers.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a ban on all public events is in force in Chechnya, and operation of restaurants, cinemas, and retail outlets have been suspended. Entry into the region is restricted, except for those delivering food, medicine, and other vital goods. Law enforcers are patrolling streets in Chechnya at night.

The Ramzan Kadyrov's instruction to the COVID-19 operative headquarters to tighten control over Chechen residents' movement was announced on April 29.

Law enforcers are checking passengers on public transport for the availability of permits, the residents of Grozny interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent have stated. "On (April 28), I decided to go to the city centre, to the 'Berkat' marketplace, aiming to buy seeds and seedlings for my garden. The policemen, who are constantly on duty on the highway, stopped the bus and ordered everyone who had no permits to get off the bus; they told us that we can't travel without permits," said Seda, a local resident.

Imran, a resident of Grozny, has complained about the inconsistency of the actions of the Chechen authorities. "(The authorities of Chechnya) once announced that they would gradually soften the quarantine regime, but then they are in fact toughening it. People simply don't know what to do and expect tomorrow," said the man.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 30, 2020 at 02:24 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.