Section: Policy

Due to Office of Public Prosecutor and Militia staff, action in the center of the town did not turn into mass fight.

<< Ust-Ordyn flag, unfolded by picketers, is going into history in case of merging with Irkutsk", Yevgeny Khamaganov / Inform Polis

Planned on 21st March - day of spring equinox - mass-meeting in support of Ust-Ordynsky District did not take place.

Instead of that initiative group managed to hold a picket which distinguishes from mass-meeting in fact that it is not allowed to use sound-amplifying equipment named in language of the people as "matyugalniki". Nevertheless there were apprehensions that the action could not be held even in such form.

"Till last minute we were ready to the worst case - breaking up of the picket", Dorzho Dugarov says, one of the action organizers.

As long as there were a lot of resolved youth, involved in participating and they knew about possible breaking up, situation could run away in case of authority's aggressive action. Organizers also bewared of hooligan tricks from the side of nationalistic-disposed persons which could provoke police.

City Administration refused the initiative groups several times - first in mass-meeting carrying out and than in picket realization. Nevertheless action was decided not to be canceled as long as people were informed and announcements about preparing event were posted in the streets.

In the morning in front of Dom Hudozhnikov (Artists House), where picket materials were being prepared, a few militia cars had already been standing. It was motivated by uncertainties discovered in given notifications. DIA employees delivered to Dorzho Dugarov warning about possible administrative or legal responsibility in case of disturbance of the public peace on the Sovets Square.

Meanwhile militia forces in great numbers were located on the Square, including OMON (Special Police Force) prepared for arresting people who was going to take part in action. However organizers announced that they had agreement with Office of Public Prosecutor about picket carrying out and assured militiamen in fact that there were not going to be any breaches from theirs side.

But literally a few minutes before start a car which was used for bringing picket materials was detained by GIBDD (State Traffic Safety Inspectorate). Organizers had quickly to untie flags and transparencies and carry them onto the Sovets Square. As it was found out later car detaining was made rightful because driver had problems with papers.

The picket itself, as it was discussed, passed in complete silence. The organizers unfolded State flags of Russia and three Buryat subjects - Ust-Orda, Buryatia and Aga, blue nine-tailed flags with Old Mongolian script.

Besides banners of parties "Yabloko - united democrats" and Russian oppositional movement "Oborona" were raised. "Oborona" has not been known in Buryatia before. As it became known BRO (Buryat Regional Department) "Yabloko" was not related to the picket - picket approval was received by organizers from Moscow. Many people noticed also a few orange flags and bands which were distributed to participants.

The number of participants including many journalists, gapers and militiamen in plain-clothes was about 200 totally.

"I am glad your youth is so active and goes into the streets for participating in such actions", said Ivan Shamaev, representative of the "Saha - public center". He arrived from Yakutsk for participating in conference about gubernization (that is guberniyas and regions merging) problems which took place one day before the picket.

Except Ivan Shamaev public figures from Khakassia and other Russian regions arrived to the conference.

"Representatives of all public organizations must express more actively theirs opinion about Ust-Orda question", Kaaris Torbostaev announced, representative of Khakas youth movement "Parys".

According him situation in the district will stronger attract attention of other Russian regions which are next in the gubernization process.