国际英语新闻：Medvedev pledges tougher measures on violence

Earlier on Thursday, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Prosecutor General's Office announced the establishment of a permanent terrorism investigative group in Dagestan, combining staff from the Investigative Committee, the Interior Ministry and the FSB.

Russia's North Caucasus republics, particularly Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, have been plagued by violence, particularly against law enforcement officers, which local rebels see as representing the Russian authorities.

A Chechen militant group led by Doku Umarov, the self-proclaimed emir of the North Caucasus, has claimed responsibility for Monday's twin bombing attacks via an online video clip. The claim has so far not been officially confirmed.

Umarov, sought for alleged terrorism, kidnapping, murder and treason, said the blasts were revenge for the killing of civilians by Russian security forces.

Pinpointing economic backwardness, rampant militant violence and clan rivalry in the region as vital security threats to Russia, Medvedev insisted the inclusion of improving socioeconomic situation as well as emphasis on moral values were one of the keys in fighting surging terrorism.

He said major enterprises must assist socioeconomic normalization in the region, as "everyone who cares about the future of this country and has money must do that."

"They (major enterprises) must pay their dues here," he said.

Medvedev in January decided to establish the eighth Federal District of Russia in North Caucasus, with Alexander Khloponin, former governor of the Krasnoyarsk region, appointed as deputy prime minister and his special envoy to the turbulent region.

Also at the conference, Medvedev voiced hope that Khloponin could make "new proposals on programs, funding, clusters and new jobs."