VLADIKAVKAZ. April 14 (Interfax) - People protesting the arrest of two suspected members of an illegal armed group have again gathered on the Kavkaz federal highway on the border between North Ossetia and Ingushetia, a law enforcement source told Interfax on Friday.
"A group of 50 people have gathered on the road and most likely are expecting a meeting with the heads of relevant authorities who can explain the reasons for yesterday's arrest of two individuals suspected of banditry," the source said.
The highway has not been closed, he said. Local safety is being provided by law enforcement officers.
On Thursday a group of residents from the village of Novy in North Ossetia's Prigorodny District blocked the Kavkaz federal highway.
"Around 50-60 protestors set rubber tires and several trees on fire. According to preliminary reports, they demand the release of two local residents arrested a day earlier on suspicion of banditry," a law enforcement source said earlier.
Meanwhile, the North Ossetia Interior Ministry did not confirm that the protest was linked to the demand to release the two local residents arrested a day earlier on suspicion of banditry.
The incident was resolved by the North Ossetian interior minister who asked the protestors to leave the road and express their grievances at a personal meeting the following day.