(VOVworld) – Hostile forces inside and outside the countries have published untruthful information accusing the authority of Nghi Phuong commune in Nghi Loc district, Nghe An province, of repressing religion. VOV brings to light the truth behind these slanderous allegations.
My Yen parishioners threw stones at on-duty officers (Photo:Nghe An newspaper) |
The case began in May when the parishioners chased and beaten with sticks and iron tubes three Nghi Loc district’s policemen who were inquiring into the situation in the locality with representatives of the Ministry of Public Security. The parishioners even vandalised the house of Dau Van Son – a local villager – suspecting Son of sheltering the officials. After investigation, Nghe An police detained Ngo Van Khoi and Nguyen Van Hai of Nghi Phuong commune in accordance with the law. These two men later confessed of breaking the law. "My act was totally wrong. I’m aware of my illegal behaviors".
After the incident, the provincial administration and relevant agencies repeatedly informed the local church’s bishop of the arrest and asked the church to work closely with the administration to deal with the case according to the law. They also communicated with the public about the reasons of the arrest of Khoi and Hai, who confessed their illegal acts.
On September 4 while Nghi Phuong authority was having a meeting, about 30 parishioners, mostly women, carried weapons and tried to storm the communal headquarters to demand the release of Khoi and Hai. At 15.30pm the same day, the Trai Gao church bell rang out, inciting hundreds of local Catholics to rush to the commune’s headquarters. Some extremists threw stones at on-duty officers, injuring several policemen and 14 parishioners.
On September 3, approximately 1,000 parishioners rallied at Nghi Phuong commune People’s Committee, opposing the local administration’s arrest of two parishioners. They carried banners, circled around the headquarters and assaulted six on-duty officials. In the afternoon, they assaulted and constrained the local authorities to sign a paper, demanding the provincial People’s Committee and police force to release Khoi and Hai.
Although the Nghe An authorities have actively and patiently handled the case in line with the law, My Yen parishioners’ social disturbances which reached their climax on September 3-4, are serious law-breaking activities.
The truth completely refuted some Internet reports by domestic and overseas bad elements who tried to distort the real situation to incite and divide the national unity.