Russian Presidential Representative Chaika engages in discussions with leaders of Ingushetia and North Ossetia following border disagreement
In a bid to address escalating ethnic tensions, the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District, Yuri Chaika, recently held a meeting with the Head of Ingushetia, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, and the Head of North Ossetia, Sergei Menyailo. The meeting took place amidst a mass conflict in the border village of Chermen in the Prigorodny district of North Ossetia.
The incident near the Chermen checkpoint may have been triggered by a domestic dispute, according to Telegram channels close to law enforcement. Chaos ensued, leading to a mass brawl between residents of Ingushetia and North Ossetia. Menyailo blamed 'hotheads' from both republics for the escalation of the conflict.
The meeting, initiated by the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, focused on issues of interethnic and interfaith relations, the development of cultural ties, and measures to ensure public safety. Chaika gave Kalimatov and Menyailo 'a number of specific instructions aimed at consolidating the efforts of all levels of government and society to strengthen civic unity'.
Chaika underlined the priority of stability in the region and stressed the importance of the 'unity of the multi-ethnic Russian people'. The statement also highlighted the need for 'harmonisation of interethnic and interfaith relations'.
North Ossetian security forces announced the detention of several participants in the conflict. Menyailo's social media accounts and North Ossetian media outlets did not provide information about the details of the talks. Kalimatov reposted Chaika's statement on his Telegram channel without any comments.
The Prigorodny district, where the incident occurred, is a sensitive area in relations between North Ossetia and Ingushetia. The question of the territory's status continues to fuel tensions between the two republics, with an armed conflict taking place in the district in the early 1990s, resulting in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands of Ingush people.
Menyailo suggested that law enforcement should block entry to the region in the event of interethnic clashes. The details of the practical steps expected to follow the meeting were not specified in the official statement. However, Chaika emphasized the crucial role of Ingush and North Ossetian residents in events related to the 'special military operation' in Ukraine, underscoring the importance of cooperation between the executive authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Read also:
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Trump's Policies: Tariffs, AI, Surveillance, and Possible Martial Law
- Uncovering Political Ad Transparency: A Guide to Investigating opponent's Political Advertisements in the Digital Realm
- Elon Musk praises JD Vance's debate performance against Tim Walz
