BRSM to disperse opposition rallies?

• 25.09.2009, 11:30

About 20 young people from Baranavichy University have black uniform with a bright insignia “Youth Squad of Public Order Protection Alfa”.

As regionby.org reports, officially, this squad is to secure public order in university and a hostel.

However, Alfa members say the territory of university is too small for them. They want to help officers of the Militia Patrol-Guard Service to gain experience in suppress offenders.

Uladzimir Vinahrad, a former student of the pedagogical faculty, says he didn’t expect his initiative to become so popular. He says he created a voluntary student squad of male and female students to organize and tale part in sporting and cultural events, spread legal knowledge among the youth, promote healthy lifestyle.

However, girls can’t be members of Alfa squad now. Secretary of BRSM (the pro-governmental youth organization) primary organization Ihar Vaitovich thinks this is right. He says sometimes conflicts may happen, sometimes squad members have to detain offenders and guard them to militia.

Future teacher Iryna says:

“Guys from our university play cunning, they don’t say service in Alfa squad gives them advantages. For example, the can attend a university gym for free, receive bonuses and benefits from the administration. Alfa members, who showed good results in suppressing students, can settle in a hostel without a queue.”

The desire of the squad to copy actions of a state security structure of the same name raises especial concern. Students managed to get money to buy radio sets, which are rather expensive. New-comers must have six-month probation period. Those who passed it can receive red certificate on the Militia Day.

Human rights activist from Baranavichy Syarhei Housha worries the new “blackshirts” can appear at opposition rallies. He thinks the local militia train the youth to fight against those who suffer persecution for dissent.