BÌNH THUẬN — The Investigation Police Agency of Bình Thuận Province’s Police on Friday decided to start criminal proceedings against people involved in disturbances in Phan Rí Cửa Town in Tuy Phong District and Phan Thiết city on June 10-11.

The people were accused of “causing public disorder, destroying property and resisting on-duty officials.”

Colonel Nguyễn Văn Nhiều, spokesperson of the provincial police, said the agency and police of Tuy Phong and Bắc Bình districts and Phan Thiết City have been asked to investigate the case and complete dossiers on the arrestees.

The provincial police have also asked local police and relevant units to mobilise forces and step up measures to ensure security, order and peace for residents. “The provincial police are resolved not to let similar incidents occur in any localities,” he said.

The riot occurred on June 10-11 as people gathered and moved to the provincial People’s Committee headquarters to protest a draft law on special administrative-economic zones, which would allow foreign investors to lease land for 99 years, sparking security concerns.

Traffic in Phan Thiết city on those days was paralysed.

During the two days, 12 automobiles were burned while 18 motorbikes and automobiles were destroyed in Bắc Bình District. Meanwhile, 30 police officers were injured and the headquarters of the Bình Thuận Firefighting Police Department in Phan Rí Cửa Town of Tuy Phong District was seriously damaged.

In Phan Thiết City, 23 automobiles and motorbikes were burned and one car was damaged. Protestors also destroyed the fence around the provincial People’s Committee headquarters, as well as some parts of other provincial agencies. There were 44 wounded police officers, with most of them discharged from hospital.

Strike leaders

In a related development, three people were summoned by the police of the southern Tây Ninh province to be questioned over alleged instigation of protests.

Three men – Huỳnh Thanh Phong, 1993, Nguyễn Văn Thắng, 1998, and Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, 1980 – were alleged to have instigated and encouraged workers of Taiwan-headquartered Pou Hung Co Ltd (Dương Châu District) to riot in protest of the special economic zone draft law on June 11-13.

These are the first three amongst 34 people identified to have encouraged mass strike, the remaining will also be called over the coming days.

During a working session with local police, Phong, Thắng and Dũng all admitted their wrongdoings and pledged not to relapse.

They also expressed their wish to continue working at the company. — VNS