Several hundreds gathered Monday in Korkmaskala regional center of Dagestan to protest against the intention of regional boss to sell the land.
Photo: Archive photo
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The Land Clashes
Several hundreds gathered Monday in Korkmaskala regional center of Dagestan to protest against the intention of regional boss to sell the land. The locals stormed premises of regional authorities, but the high-ranked bureaucrat was rescued by fellow-countrymen from Tarki-village and police officers. In the end, 17 people were taken to hospital; several dozens got bruises and scratches.
The reason of Korkmaskala fight roots in the land. A local official, Sapiyulla Karachaev, was supposedly willing to sell it to strangers.
In general, the land in Dagestan valleys is lucrative and in short supply. What’s more, the disputed allotment is truly unique. Past year, a French wine-maker, Bruno Arrive, recommended exactly this area to nurse an elite vineyeard. But the contract that was duly made with Arrive Jean-Guy et Bruno has been shelved in the wake of the clashes.
Around 300 locals first gathered on the challenged land Saturday. That meeting was peaceful and broke up in six hours after the beginning.
On Monday, hundreds of people went to the square in front of the premises of local authorities. That rally in Kormaskala was not missed by Tarki villagers, who arrived to stand for their countryman Sapiyulla Karachaev. The strength of each party neared to a thousand, said a local policeman. The scuffle was imminent.
No one knows for sure, who started shooting. The police stepped in once the real battle began. “Who was shooting?” a policeman repeated. “Just anyone, both [parties] had weapons.”
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Mar. 21, 2006
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