Over 500 refugees left Ingushetia for Chechnya last weekRuslan Isayev, North Caucaus – The departure of Chechen refugees from the tent camps in Ingushetia is again gaining momentum. Last week more than 500 people left for Chechnya where most of them are being housed in various temporary accommodation centers.
According to officials of the Moscow-backed Chechen government in the Ordzhonikidzevskaya village, about 2,000 people have also officially declared their intentions to return.
They explained that the increase in numbers is not because the situation has stabilized in Chechnya, but that many refugees want to receive compensation for homes lost during military operations in Chechnya, which were promised by the Russian leaders. In fact, many refugees leave their families in Ingushetia and head for home just to assemble all the documents that are required for this.
Last week a couple from Urus-Martan returned home after three-and-a-half years in Ingushetia. Khamid and his wife Lida piled their belongings on a truck and left, leaving their teenage children behind with relatives. "I hope that a peaceful life awaits us soon, now that there will be Russian and Chechen presidential elections," he added before departing.
Unfortunately this exodus results in far too many families being split up----the young stay behind in peaceable Ingushetia, while the older generation returns home. (T/E) |
