Creation of MIA's special unit treated ambiguously in Dagestan

The information about formation of a special unit of interior troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) in Dagestan was differently taken by the local people. Denga Khalidov, head of the Centre of Strategic and Ethno-Political Studies of Russia, believes that Dagestan has pretty plenty of other power structures. On the other hand, the authorities of the republic hope that local residents will be better as defendors from those who want to destabilize the situation.

Let us remind you that the formation of a battalion of interior troops to protect public order and safety in Dagestan was announced on September 27 by Vasily Panchenkov, press officer of the Internal Troops of the Russian MIA. According to his story, the decision to set up a new military unit was made by President Medvedev, who responded in this way to the request of the President of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov.

It is planned to recruit mainly locals to the new military - both regular and contract servicemen.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Isalmagomed Nabiev, a publicist and chairman of the independent trade union of drivers and employers of Dagestan, earlier the orders of the local president were ignored by local militiamen, while after appearance of the power force under his command, he will find it easier to implement his plans.

"On the other hand, it's not quite clear at all, why should we create some sort of special troops, when we already have the militia, FSB and army? The example of Chechnya shows that such structures turn into merciless and brutal henchmen. As far as I'm informed, they plan to recruit also relatives of those who had suffered from militants," said Nabiev.

"I see nothing wrong that such relatives will be recruited into the new unit, since it's not stated anywhere that such persons should be ignored," said Zubair Zubairuev, deputy head for information policy and press service of President of Dagestan.

The new specialized battalion to be deployed near Makhachkala will be 700 strong.