Moscow, July 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin met Friday with officials from the security and military services in the North Caucasus, presidential spokesman Alexei Gromov reported.
The meeting, held as part of Putin's tour of southern Russia, focused on coordination of military and security operations across the North Caucasus with the aim of achieving long-term security in the troubled region. One of the top issues on the agenda was the deployment of rifle brigades in highland border areas of Daghestan and Karachai-Circassia where Chechen militants are believed to be hiding.
On Friday the president also visited a new security operations center outside the Daghestani capital of Makhachkala, and met with several senior Daghestani government officials, including State Council Chairman Magomedali Magomedov.
The security situation in Daghestan, which borders Chechnya, has deteriorated dramatically of late. The number of terrorist acts and attacks on police officers is on the increase. Ten servicemen died in the latest large terrorist attack, on July 7.
The Russian Interior Ministry is seriously concerned by the developments. It hopes it will be able to alleviate tensions by improving the working conditions for local police and sending in reinforcements.
Experts say the current instability in Daghestan is due to its low standards of living. The average monthly wage here amounts to just $100, while the national average is $230.
