Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Feb. 8 (VNA) -- Security and social order has been restored in the Central-Highlands provinces of Gia Lai and Dac Lac, report resident Viet Nam News Agency, VNA, correspondents.

The correspondents say that the restoration of order in Pleiku and Buon Ma Thuot and some other places of the two provinces had been necessary after residents were given misleading information about the arrest of two minority people.

The correspondents say that a number of residents from different localities gathered outside the offices of the provincial Communist Party and People's Committees in Pleiku to demand the release of the arrested duo on January 29 and present petitions asking the administration at all levels to solve burning questions of land use.

The correspondents say provincial Party and People's Committees sent officials to explain to the local residents that the two had been arrested for violating the law and inciting division among the national-unity bloc. They were freed immediately after signing a document conceding their violations and asking for leniency.

The two then addressed local residents outside the offices of the Party and People's Committees and told the truth about their wrong doings and explained that they had been freed.

Provincial officials then explained Party and State policy governing the use of land and listed their achievements in consolidating the national-unity bloc and boosting socio-economic development in not only the provice but also the entire central highlands.

After hearing the explanation, the crowd dispersed and returned to their residences.

Incidents were also reportedly caused by petitioners in Buon Ma Thuot town and some other parts of Dac Lac province between Feb.3-6. Although small, they affected security and social order, caused traffic congestion and hindered children going to school.

Most of the petitioners were minority people misled about the situation in Pleiku and incited by extremists.

Several extremists took the opportunity to destabilise security and social order and attack those who were on duty. They damaged administration offices at hamlet, commune and district levels, causing property losses and destablising social order.

The local Party Committees, the Administration and mass organizations met with the petitioners and persuaded them to return to their hamlets and engage in production and asked that they not allow the extremists to incite them to destablise security and social order or undermine the national-unity bloc.

The correspondents say most local people were discontented with the extremist action and the disorder created by ill-intentioned people to destabilise local social order and security and sow division among the people.

At present, the Party Committees, the Administration and mass organizations in Gia Lai and Dac Lac provinces are taking measures to ensure security and social order.

They are also acting to ensure the law is enforced; encourage the local minority people to boost economic, cultural and social development, improve their lives, help consolidate the national-unity bloc. All this is to enhance the revolutionary tradition of the Central Highlanders; ensure the renovation process is successful and make the Central Highlands more prosperous and beautiful.--VNA