Analysts outline risks for Ingush leader amid conflict over Fortanga

The head of Ingushetia has refrained from commenting on the works on the Fortanga River, so as not to enter into an obviously losing conflict with Ramzan Kadyrov, but this position does not add Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov's popularity in the republic, analysts assert, noting that the new round of tensions on the Ingush-Chechen border may partly be associated with the approaching verdict in the trial of the leaders of Ingush protests.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 11, the "Chechenavtodor" (Chechen Highway Ministry) conducted earthworks on the bank of the Fortanga River, along which the border with Ingushetia passes. Ramzan Kadyrov has claimed that a protest against the works was staged by a "bunch of provocateurs," and also indicated that he was capable of taking away from Ingushetia the lands that had passed to the republic during the time of Djokhar Dudaev. These words angered Ingush users of social networks.

According to Ekaterina Sokirianskaya, the director of the Centre for Conflict Analysis and Prevention, the head of Ingushetia, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, does not publicly discuss the situation on the border with Chechnya, since it is not beneficial to him.

Ms Sokirianskaya is sure that Kalimatov's silence is most likely seen by residents of the republic as a natural reaction. "They understand that Kalimatov is expressing not the viewpoint of the majority of residents of the republic, but the position of the Kremlin," she has concluded.

Timur Akiev, the head of the Ingush branch of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", has admitted that a new round of tensions could trigger public unrests. In his opinion, the silence of the head of Ingushetia is caused by his unwillingness to aggravate the situation.

At the same time, the Kadyrov's harsh statements cause discontent among the Ingush population, Timur Akiev is sure.