Historians assert that land dispute caused conflict in Kendelen

The Kabardians vs. Balkars conflict around the anniversary of the Kanjali Battle was caused by the problem of mountain pastures, scientists have stated. Balkars took the Kabardians' decision to mark the anniversary of the battle back in 2008 as a claim to their lands.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 18, residents of the Balkar village of Kendelen did not let the participants in the march held in memory of the 310th anniversary of the Kanjali Battle through their village. There were skirmishes of locals, Kabardian activists and law enforcers. Several victims and dozens of detainees were reported. Officials have stated that there were provocations.

Alexei Gunya, a senior researcher at the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes that the conflict is caused by the modern land problems of Kabardino-Balkaria.

Modern Balkars are afraid of losing their right to land because of reference to certain historical events, he explained.

Muradin Rakhaev, a Balkar public figure, is also sure that the presentation of the Kanjali Battle as a significant historical event has to do solely with the struggle for mountainous pastures. According to his story, Kabardians began celebrating the anniversary of the battle "at an acute moment of land confrontations."

According to his version, conflicts can be avoided, if we give up referencing to historical dates