100,000 persons take part in celebration of Day of Russia in Grozny

According to the administration of the Chechen capital, about 100,000 persons and people took part in the events to celebrate the Day of Russia, held on June 12 in Grozny. However, many city residents claim compulsory participation in the festivities.

The square in front of the Grozny administration became a centre of the festivities. There, a stage was set, and a huge banner with photos of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. From the early morning of June 12, all highways, leading to the city centre, were completely blocked by enhanced police and military squads.

Columns of demonstrators, who gathered in Minute Square and Peoples' Friendship Square, marched along Putin and Kadyrov Avenues and gathered in front of the city administration building. One of the columns was personally headed by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who carried in his hands a portrait of Vladimir Putin. The demonstrators carried banners and portraits of Vladimir Putin, Akhmad and Ramzan Kadyrov, and flags of Russia, Chechnya and the "Edinaya Rossiya" (United Russia) Party. When passing through the main streets of the capital, the demonstrators chanted: "Russia!", "Nokhchiycho!" (Chechnya), "Putin!", and "Ramzan!"

"Today is the day, on which our ancestors dreamed. We can get a religious education, study in secular institutions, go in for sports, and walk along peaceful streets. We have it all. And we should appreciate that. We should not repeat mistakes of the past. And we will not repeat them," said Ramzan Kadyrov, speaking before the participants of the festive rally to celebrate the Day of Russia.

He has also noted that Russia under the leadership of "the national leader Vladimir Putin" will face great future.

"In total, the festive event was attended by about 100,000 persons," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by a representative of the Grozny administration. The Chechen Ministry of Transport reported that 300 buses were allocated for delivery of district residents, who wished to participate in celebrations in Grozny.

The culmination of the festivities in the capital of Chechnya was a group of parachutists, who landed right on the area in front of the City Mayoralty, and that was a complete surprise to many participants of the festivities. Helicopters circled above the city centre. Besides, aerostats rose into the air. According to the representative of the Grozny administration, the parachutists, who landed in the city, were invited from Vladikavkaz.

The festivities ended with the concert involving local pop stars and the republic's creative teams, and at night, in Grozny, a colourful firework was launched to mark the Day of Russia.

Meanwhile, many participants in the festive demonstration claim that they were forced to take part in the event.

"Our Ministry employs about 1500 persons. Everyone had to come to this demonstration, since the managers have warned us that those employees, who will not come, will face serious troubles, almost up to dismissal. It is clear that other ministries had the same situation," said a staff member of the Ministry of Land and Property Relations of Chechnya, who preferred to remain anonymous.

Employees of various enterprises and organizations, and students of Grozny higher educational institutions also reported on their forced participation in the demonstration.