Refugees deprived of bread

They were expecting something like that. And regardless of generous promises from the authorities they were not going to believe them. Now those who were denied free bread from the distribution centers in Nazran in late June remember the situation before the referendum.

- At that time we were given forms to participate in the referendum and we were warned: if the forms are not filled, no bread will be distributed, - refugees say today and are bewildered by the decision of the authorities. Our correspondent was told that the order to stop the free distribution of bread was given by the migration service of the Republic of Ingushetia.

Refugees from Chechnya living in the private sector of Ingushetia have received free bread since the fall 1999. Previously similar centers functioned in every settlement where Chechen refugees found shelter. During the recent several months - by the order of the local authorities - the number of such centers has been reduced to minimum - there are only several centers still functioning in the large districts of the republic.

- Probably, the decision of the authorities is one of the methods to force people to return to Chechnya, - refugees say. In such difficult conditions they have been through a lot and they can only guess what else the authorities will do to force them back to Chechnya.

It is not known who issued the order. Anyway, such decision can be made only with the consent of top officials. We can pretend being naive and believe this is a case of arbitrariness of local officials. Then why the migration service of Ingushetia declines to comment on the given situation?


The Chechen Times [14.08.2003 6:56] A. Sugaipov, our correspondent