Grozny residents report sharp intensification of security measures

Reinforced posts of policemen and special fighters are deployed every night in Grozny after rumours appeared about concentration of militants on the Chechen border, local residents report. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) explains the reinforcement by the fight against infringers of traffic rules and preparations for holidays.

Citizens are accustomed to increased security measures on the eve of holidays or arrival of top Moscow officials to the republic; however, this time the attraction of additional forces to guard Grozny continues for the whole week, a local resident named Masud told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"One gets an impression that the power agents are afraid of something, since security measures are so dramatically stepped up," he said.

While on duty, power agents check drivers' documents and inspect cars, local residents report. Some of them believe that security reinforcement may have to do with a possible intensification of the militants on the Chechen section of Russian-Georgian border.

"My close friend works for a power agency; and he said that the appearance of a large number of militants from Syria was allegedly marked in the Pankisi Gorge of Georgia. It seems like this was the reason for increased security measures here," a Grozny resident named Vakhid told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.