page_title: Aukh
section_title: Ethnic cleansing
hierarchical_section_title: Aukh / Ethnic cleansing
caption_attribution_description: Нохчийн: Сталинизмо бехк боцуш х1аллак бинчу вайнахана
context_page_description: Aukh is a historical Chechen region in the current republic of Dagestan. Aukh encompasses parts of the Novolak, Khasavyurtovsky Babayurtovsky and Kazbekovsky districts. The Chechens of Dagestan call themselves Aukhovites, and speak a sub dialect of the Galanchozh dialect.
context_section_description: With the permission of the authorities of the Soviet Dagestan, on October 5, 1943, the Aukhovites formed their national Aukhov district (the territory of the modern Novolaksky and part of the Kazbekovsky regions) with the center in Yaryksu-Aukh (modern Novokuli). But at the end of February 1944, the Aukhovites, sharing a similar fate with other Vainakhs, were ethnically cleansed from their homeland. The authorities disbanded the Aukh district, giving the land of Aukhovites to other ethnic groups of Dagestan.
  In the period from 1957 to 1960, the majority of Aukhovites returned to the Soviet Dagestan, however, the leadership of the republic forbade them to resettle the land of their ancestors, especially in the Novolaksky and Kazbekovsky districts (only a few successfully repatriated). Due to restrictions, Aukhovites began to settle in other settlements of the republic, which the authorities indicated to them (legislatively, this ban was enacted by a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the DASSR on July 16, 1958). Until 1961, Aukhovites fought for their return to their native places of residence after which under the threat of a new ethnic cleansing, they had to temporarily abandon their claims.
  Aukhovites never abandoned attempts to return their former dwellings occupied by Avars and Laks. The resulting interethnic tension led to clashes, sometimes with tragic consequences. In 1964, Aukhovites made another attempt to return to their native homeland, acting in an organized manner and emphasizing the peaceful nature of their action. The leadership of the Soviet Dagestan was confused and declared these actions “riots”, although no repressive measures were taken against the participants in the events then. Once again, Aukhovites tried to return to their homes in 1976 and 1985 in the village of Chapaevo (Chech. Keshen-Evla), and in 1989 in many native Aukh villages. In response to these actions, the local party leadership began to turn the Avars and Laks against the Aukhovites. On July 3, 1989, a rally was organized demanding the renewed cleansing of Aukhovites from Dagestan.
caption: Monument in honor of the Chechen-Aukhovites that were affected by Aardakh.
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