Akhmad Kadyrov Warns Power Structures against Losing Vigilance

Chechnya's head of administration, Akhmad Kadyrov, has cautioned power structures and heads of local administrations against losing vigilance in the days remaining before the referendum and urged them to keep the situation in the localities under control.

Speaking on Friday at a conference in Chechnya's capital, Grozny, attended by Russia's Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo, Kadyrov said that a referendum on a constitution for the Chechen Republic is a major event not only for the Chechen Republic but also for the whole of Russia.

The referendum is scheduled for March 23.

According to Chechnya's head of administration, the situation in the republic has markedly improved over the past 10 days. The population sent no signals about any offences, there are no mass document checks, and power structures behave properly towards the population, Kadyrov said.

"I can thank them for this," the head of administration said. He expressed confidence that the referendum in Chechnya will take place and the people will be able to express their will.

At the same time, Kadyrov did not rule out provocations on the part of militants.