Chechen authorities see "domestic nature" in conflict over pastures on border with Dagestan

A conflict over pastures on the border between Dagestan and Chechnya is not related to the definition of borders between the republics, but it was of "domestic nature", the administration of the Vedeno District announced.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 12, a fight occurred between residents of the Botlikh District of Dagestan and residents of Chechnya. It was reported by residents of Dagestan. According to them, without any explanations, residents of the neighbouring republic expelled shepherds from the Botlikh District from the near-border pastures they rented.

On July 16, an official from the prefect's office of the Vedeno District of Chechnya informed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the situation in the area on the border with Dagestan was calm.

"In fact, there was no serious conflict on the border. No one should dramatize and escalate the situation," the official noted.

According to him, when shepherds from the Botlikh District grazed their sheep on the land belonging to the territory of the Vedeno District, they did that unofficially, on the terms of oral agreements with local residents.

"In fact, those actions were illegal, since there were no relevant rent agreements. Two weeks ago, officials from the local administration warned the shepherds that they should take their sheep back. Most of them followed the instructions. In one case, there was a small fight between the local and Dagestani shepherds, but the conflict was resolved. [...] There was a small incident of domestic nature, and that was all," said the official.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 17, 2019 at 01:51 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.