Journalists criticize Dagestani authorities' passivity in Chechen border issue

The authorities of Dagestan have ignored the statements of Magomed Daudov, the Speaker of the Chechen Parliament on the border demarcation, despite the sharp tone of his statements. The inaction of the republic's leaders results in increased tensions in the society and gives rise to protest moods, the Dagestani journalists interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 3, the Speaker, Magomed Daudov, called on the Dagestani leadership to complete the border demarcation so as not to provoke residents' conflicts. Later, Daudov said that initially the initiative to fix the border had been made exactly by the Dagestan party.

Magomed Daudov is sharply criticizing his Dagestani counterparts, while the latter have failed to express their position on the disputed border sections, Magomed Magomedov, the deputy editor-in-chief of the "Chernovik" (Draft) weekly, has noted.

"The silence of Dagestani authorities causes bewilderment. If this territory really belongs to Chechnya, why not to go out and state this? If this is our territory or disputable, then, I think, it's necessary to state it, so that the Dagestani society could decide how to react in this issue," Mr Magomedov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He could not rule out that the border issue would cause protests in Dagestan.

Protest moods in the society will reappear should Dagestani authorities continue leaving the Chechen challenges on the border demarcation issues without reaction, Gadjimurad Sagitov, the editor-in-chief of the "Novoye Delo" newspaper, has stated.

"Constant statements by Chechen authorities trigger nervousness and concern among most patriotic Dagestanis, and those who care about the situation in the republic," he believes.

"Now, a challenge has been put forward to the Dagestan leadership, but so far it's inactive and demonstrates its indifference. The authorities' inaction can lead to public activation; and I think Moscow understands this. It seems that certain forces are just waiting for a serious escalation of the situation on the border of two republics in a rather difficult region," Mr Sagitov has added.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 13, 2020 at 00:37 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.