Local sources have reported that a group of Ingush civilians, who have started a hunger strike to demand Yunusbek Yevkurov’s resignation, were beaten and detained.

According to Waynakh Online’s sources in Ingushetia, on October 29 at about 3:00pm, supporters of the regional public organization “Mekhh-Kel” (People’s Parliament) started a hunger strike in the city of Nazran, Ingushetia to ask Yunusbek Yevkurov for his resignation from the Presidency of the Republic of Ingushetia. The protesters brought mattresses and bottles of water to a large room next to the “Kovcheg” shopping center in the city of Nazran, with the expectation that their hunger strike may continue for a long time. Among the protesters, there were 95 and 99 year old wise Ingush men. They have stated that they managed to stay alive in 1944 during the Stalinist deportation in harsh winter conditions, and nothing can stop them from asking for what is right for their people. They were very hopeful and are expecting that more people will join them in the following days and their voice against impunity and the corrupt system will be heard.

“The demand of the hunger strikers is the resignation of the President of the Republic of Ingushetia, Yunusbek Yevkurov and the implementation of a law on the rehabilitation of repressed peoples. In our country, many people are unhappy with the police and the authorities. I know that there are a lot of people who are willing to join our protest but they are afraid of losing their jobs and so they comply with the current situation,” said Idris Abadiev, chairman of Mekhk-Kel.

However, nothing has continued at this peaceful protest action, a group of armed and masked OMON police entered the room at about 7:30pm; beat all of the protesters including the old men and women. At that moment, there were about 100 protesters present. After that the protesters were arrested and taken to the police station.

During the night, nearly all of the protesters were released except five or six people including the board members of “Mekhk-Kel”; Sultan-Giri Khashagulgov, Sarazhdin Sultigov, Timur Abadiev and Musa Abadiev. At the moment, there is no information on their fate, because doctors and lawyers are not being allowed to see them. However, it was learned that the detainees are continuing the hunger strike where they are being held.

On the other hand, “Mekhk-Kel” announced that they are going on with their protest and the hunger strike.

Recall that the public organization “Mekhk-Kel” was established during a conference in April 2012. 325 delegates from all over Ingushetia and about 50 guests from among the country’s public figures attended. During the conference, the speakers described Ingushetia’s situation as very critical and demanded the resignation of Yunusbek Yevkurov to find a solution.

*Text was written by Waynakh Online and edited by Michael Capobianco