Grozny fearful about renewal of military activityRuslan Isayev, North Caucasus – In advance of February 23, the 1944 anniversary date when Chechens, on Stalin's order, were deported en masse to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Western Siberia, authorities are worried that there will be guerrilla attempts to renew military operations throughout the republic. For this reason, all security forces have been placed on a high level of alertness.
The unilateral ceasefire declared by a Chechen guerrilla leader in January is allegedly to end on February 22. Therefore, it is possible that starting on February 23 military activity may be resumed.
Rumors have spread among Grozny’s inhabitants that on February 23 guerrillas will carry out a major operation, which prompts many people to leave town.
While officials are attempting to reassure the population, the presence of armoured vehicles at many of the city's crossroads hardly promotes calm among people. Furthermore, there is heavy movement of military convoys and a sharp increase in uniformed men on the streets.
However, such rumors routinely spread before many Chechen holidays, although in the past the resistance usually did not carry out major operations on special days, but rather unexpectedly.
A Prague Watchdog editor contributed to this report. (MG/E,T)
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