The number of refugees returning to Chechnya increases
INGUSHETIA, October 28, Caucasus Times – In 27 days of October, this year, over 2.000 refugees have returned from tent camps of Ingushetia to the Chechen Republic, Alkha Khisimikov, the coordinator of the Chechen Republican group with Ingushetia officials facilitating the return of internally displaced persons to Chechnya said in his interview with the Caucasus Times correspondent.
“At total, as of October 27, 475 families (2.385 persons) of the displaced persons have left Ingushetia and returned to Chechnya. 147 tents were taken down. Besides, there at least 10 families who are about to leave the refugee camps very soon,” Mr. Khisimikov said.
Noteworthy, the observers say, the process of returning of the refugees intensified after a the presidential election in Chechnya. While some of the returning Chechen people hope for the situation in Chechnya to be stable, the majority of the refugees come back because of hopelessness.
“I don’t believe anything to be changed for the better in Chechnya in a near future,” says Luisa Maskhudova, a resident of “Sputnic” camp. “Nevertheless, I am going home very soon. I’ve had enough, besides I’m not feeling well. I won’t be able to survive the fifth winter season with my poor health in these tents,” the woman said.
