MOSCOW. Aug 29 (Interfax-AVN) - The introduction of more than 2,000 Russian interior troops in the region did not affect the local situation, Ingush President Murat Zyazikov said.
"This is a normal preventive measure. It has been in place since July 25. There is no curfew, no punitive actions, no human rights violations, no matter who said what. This had no effect on the situation, there are no protests by the population," Zyazikov said at a press conference in Moscow on Wednesday.
This operation is being carried out at the behest of Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev, and the new units in the republic closely coordinate their actions with local law enforcement bodies, he added.
"Such measures were also introduced in neighboring regions, and there was no fuss about it," he said.
This could be related to the upcoming elections, he said.
The situation with crime in Ingushetia has worsened in the last several months. Instances of armed gangs assaulting law enforcement bodies, officers and military units have become more frequent.