In the Pankisi Gorge, Kist Chechens used stones and sticks to fight back Georgian law enforcers. On April 21, several hundred of Pankisi Gorge residents gathered for a spontaneous protest in the village of Birkiani. Their protest was provoked by the construction of the "Khadori 3" hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in the Pankisi Gorge. The local residents believe that the large-scale construction threatens the environment, agriculture, and tourism. 55 people, including 38 policemen and 17 protesters, suffered in a clash between protesters and law enforcers.
