Shunevich opens memorial plaque in Lida to honour killers of Belarusian patriots

The town of Lida paid tribute to the memory of policemen killed in clashes with Belarusian members of underground and guerilla groups in 1944-1947.

The solemn ceremony was attended by Belarusian interior minister Ihar Shunevich, charter97.org learnt from the ministry's press service.

“This is one of many events held in Belarus to pay tribute to the memory of killed policemen,” the interior minister emphasised. “Symbolically, today's event is held in the year of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi troops. The events on this land, where blood of heroes shed after the liberation of the country in 1944-1947, are an integral part of the work of the Belarusian police.”

Journalist Siarhei Navumchyk, a former member of the Supreme Council and deputy head of the BNR Council, says the authorities paid tribute to the memory of killers of Belarusian patriots.

“The website of the Interior Ministry writes: 'A memorial plaque to honour participants of the struggle against nationalist militia members was opened in Lida.' It means they pay tribute to the memory of NKVD officers, killers of Belarusian patriots. By the way, the Interior Ministry denied the myth that the Belarusians were happy to recognise the Soviet authorities: 'The number of some militia groups in western Belarus reached 80-100 people armed with rifles and machine guns.' As you see, people showed resistance and some NKVD officers paid with life for their attempts to take freedom from Belarusians,” he wrote on Facebook.

The authorities earlier banned the solemn opening of the memorial plaque in honour of Kanstantsin Astrozhski (Konstanty Ostrogski) to mark the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Orsha.