Normalcy has been swiftly restored in Vietnam’s Central Highlands province of Dak Lak three days after a gun attack.
| Life continues as normal in Cu Kuin District, Dak Lak Province. Photo: VNA |
Lieutenant General To An Xo, Spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security, told local media today [June 14] that security in the province is now assured.
The reassurance came three days after an unidentified group attacked police stations in Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes, Cu Cuin District, Dak Lak Province, leaving nine dead and two injured. The victims are police officers, communal officials, and civilians.
As of June 14, as many as 46 suspects have been arrested, while local police demand that they confess to receiving leniency.
| Ea Tieu Commune's headquarters is guarded by police. Photo: VTV |
Ngo Van Hong, a resident of Ea Ning Commune, Cu Kuin District, said his family had resumed farming in the mountains of Ea Ktur – the place of the attack – after three days of living in an insecure mood.
“Witnessing the efforts by local police and authorities to search for suspects and ease the tensions, we feel relieved that things are back to normal,” Hong said.
Nguyen Thi Anh, an owner of a farm produce shop in Ea Ktur Commune, said she had opened her shop after two days of closure. Now she’s at ease though her shop is less than 1km from the attacked police station.
Pastor Y Djan Eban, 73, said he had never seen such aggressive acts, frightening locals in the violence-free region for years.
Nguyen Kim May, Deputy Chief of the Ea Ktur Party Committee, said that life here continues as normal in all 19 villages in the commune just one day after the incident.
| Ea Ktur police station damaged. Photo: VTV |
According to Vietnam Television (VTV), initial investigations showed that the suspects acted aggressively in the attacks, targeting all people they saw at the police stations with guns and knives. Some suspects confessed that a ringleader ordered them to attack officials and civilians from different directions. Those suspects were promised money to be taken abroad for a better life.
A video at the site showed that the police stations were burnt and damaged.
The gun is rare in Vietnam, which bans the use of weapons.
