Grozny residents complain of forced eviction

Residents of the township of Voikova, Oktiabrskiy District of Grozny, report about forced eviction and demolition of their houses. According to the city authorities, this is caused by the large-scale reconstruction undertaken in the township.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Voikova was severely damaged by floods in August last year. The township reconstruction began last week under the order of the republic's leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

"Here, we put new asphalt, change all utilities, repair house and demolish unfit and abandoned households. We repair the streets, install night illumination facilities, etc.," said a source from the administration of the Chechen capital.

According to his story, the repairs involve not only construction and municipal workers, but also local officials and residents, who participate in subbotniks. It is planned that after the reconstruction the township will "become one of the most beautiful places in the city."

A rather different estimate of events is given by activists of Chechen NGOs and residents of Grozny. In particular, they report that in some streets of the township people were ordered to leave their houses, which will be demolished, in the shortest possible time. At the same time, families are given no temporary shelter.

"Local residents report that they are forced out of their houses," said an activist of the Union of NGOs of Chechnya.