Activists tell about the relevance for Ingushetia of lands transferred to Chechnya

People live and there are graves of Ingush ancestors in the lands handed over to Chechnya within the framework of the agreement on fixing borders. The border re-delineation will affect the residents of the mountainous part of Ingushetia, in particular, Dattykh villagers, said Sarazhdin Sultygov, the co-chairman of the "Mekhk Kkhel" movement. There are many monuments of historical and cultural heritage on these lands, said Ruslan Mutsolgov, the chairman of the regional branch of the "Yabloko" Party.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 1, residents of Ingushetia, protesting against changing of the Chechen-Ingush border, held mass motor rallies. On October 2, law enforcers searched the houses of Ruslan Mutsolgov and some other activists.

Ruslan Mutsolgov believes that people with different viewpoints have united against the land transfer.

Mr Sultygov believes that regardless of political views, the territorial issue has united Ingushes. He received hundreds of appeals in connection with the agreement.

According to his story, these territories are important from an economic viewpoint: there are hayfields, arable lands and oil deposits there.

He has added that any interethnic confrontation is out of question; Ingushes have no conflicts with Chechens.