Anti-Chechen sentiments grow in Ingushetia

There have been growing Anti-Chechen sentiments in Ingushetia for the last few days. They are partly roused by republican law enforcers, who make direct or indirect hints that participants in the clashes in Ingushetia can hide themselves among Chechen refugees.

Speaking to the local television on June 23, Acting Prosecutor of the Republic of Ingushetia Mikhail Barakhoyev said, "...These people cross Ingushetia in the guise of refugees, then lay down arms and stay on the territory of the republic as ordinary people in the same guise." Other officials have also made such careless statements.

On the same day, June 23, Ingush law enforcers conducted so called purges in some places of Chechen refugees' compact residents. Over 50 refugees were detained on the night of June 23-24. They all are suspected by law enforcement agencies of taking part in the armed attack on Ingushetia.

Meanwhile, participants themselves and eye-witnesses of the developments that took place on the night of June 21-22 (republican law enforcers) mention the international composition of the group of attackers more and more often. Everybody who came across the rebels somehow is convinced Ingush rebels also took part in the night attack on Ingush settlements.

Local human rights activists hold that the situation with the state of Chechens in Ingushetia has worsened so much that there is a threat of its going out of hand. If the republican authorities do not try to prevent any attempts to fan ethnic strife, the situation can lead to the most unexpected consequences, they think.

Editors note: See also the articles "Purges in refugee camps", "Zyazikov denies conducting purges in Ingushetia".