Ruslan Aushev accused the Russian government and Sergei Shakhrai, deputy prime minister in charge of nationalities, of doing nothing to resolve tension in the area.
"The central government has no Caucasus policy. Has the problem of North Ossetia and Ingushetia been resolved? Have the problems of any Caucasian region been resolved?" Aushev, 38, told a press conference in Moscow.
Also Thursday, fierce fighting erupted in the neighboring republic of Chechnya when opposition forces broke through government lines near the village of Bratskoye, northwest of the capital Grozny, Interfax reported, quoting a government source.
After four hours government forces regained the ground lost, the source said.
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