CTV Danlambao/Translated by Danlambao's reader - In the early hours of April 25, 2014, the authorities mobilized forces up to 1000 troops to start operation of land confiscation and suppression of farmers who were trying to keep their land in Duong Noi (Ha Dong District, Hanoi).
From early morning, the entire stretch of Le Trong Tan road -- passing through the land area to be confiscated and about 500 meters long -- was barricaded by the police with makeshift fences; vehicles cannot pass through this road. Hundreds of farmers -- who were determined to hold on to their land and were staying in makeshift tents -- were completely isolated.
At 08:30am, police force in charge of confiscating the farmers' land started to attack the area where Duong Noi farmers have been staying in makeshift tents. The farmers responded by burning wood to fight back the attacking police force.
A fire truck was immediately mobilized the police and the fire was quickly extinguished. Shortly thereafter, armed police force violently suppressed the farmers who were mainly old people and women without weapons.
During the clashes with police, many farmers were severely beaten and had to be hospitalized. A few young people were also injured when they tried to intervene.
This last attempt by Duong Noi farmers to try to keep their land ended with violence and blood. The force -- that the government sent to confiscate the farmers' land on April 25 -- appears to include some soldiers in uniform and wearing red tape on the arm.
Land grabbing and arresting farmers
At least 10 Duong Noi farmers -- including Mrs. Can Thi Theu and her husband Trinh Ba Khiem -- have been detained by police.
It is known that at the behest of the Secretary of Duong Noi Ward (named Le Khanh Duong) and the chairman of Duong Noi Ward (named La Quang Thuc), police force was instructed to arrest Mrs. Can Thi Theu at all costs.
Many farmers intervened vehemently when the police tried to arrest Mrs. Can Thi Theu. Due to the large and aggressive police force the farmers were unable to protect Mrs. Can Thi Theu.
Mrs. Can Thi Theu was beaten by the police and became unconscious. After that, Mrs. Can Thi Theu was sent to detention center #3 in Ha Dong District (in Hanoi).
As for the other farmers, Tran Van Tuyen and about 10 other people are currently being held at the police headquarter in Ha Dong District.
The entire land area owned by the farmers -- about 32 hectares filled with vegetable plants -- was then bulldozed and destroyed the police. The nearby area is still being barricaded with makeshift fences.
On April 22, in another episode of suppression to confiscate the farmers' land in Duong Noi, four farmers including Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ngan, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Mrs. Dang Thi Toan and an elderly man Nguyen Van The were arrested by police. Presently there is absolutely no news about these four people.
In addition, police are currently detaining two other farmers -- Mr. Tran Van Tran Sanh and Tran Van Mien -- from Duong Noi. The two men were charged with 'disturbing public order' under Article 245 of the penal code. After the arrest, the police informed their family that they had 'committed suicide'. However when other farmers demanded to see these two men, the police did not respond.
