Vietnam, hundreds block highway over pollution: clashes with police
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Hundreds of villagers in the southeast of Vietnam demonstrated for hours by blocking one of the main highways to protest against a factory in the area that has polluted houses and fields.
The demonstrations began on April 14 and continued for the whole day yesterday, after a blanket of dust and particulate pollutants spewed from the power station, covering homes. Official sources - without independent confirmation - report that demonstrators were throwing stones, rocks and Molotov cocktails, injuring at least 10 policemen, who had intervened in riot gear.
Some government officials in Tuy Phong dialogued with the protesters, who occupied the highway. Local witnesses reported that, following the protest 20km traffic jams were formed on National Road 1A - one of the most important north / south communication routes in the country.
According to Vinh Tan inhabitants, the village in the coastal province of Binh Thua, was covered by dust emitted by Vinh Tan 2, a coal-fired power plant. They fear that these pollutants can have harmful effects on people's health.
A local source speaks of "iron particles" blown by the wind "onto people’s heads"; This sparked the protests of citizens, who "wanted to draw the attention from the local government to the air pollution and find a solution. We don’t know how the local government will address this issue".
Strikes and protests by workers and citizens - over tensions related to payments or issues of social and environmental justice - are a rare event in Vietnam, led by the one- party communist government which usually uses an iron fist against dissent.
Yesterday in the evening a delegation of Vinh Tan villagers presented itself at the gates of Vinh Tan 2, asking administrators to close the 1.3 billion dollar plant, which opened its doors last year. For some time resentment has been building in the area, in spite of the government’s promises and assurances.
Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has said he would demand immediate action from the Vietnam Electricity Group, which monitors the plant and is responsible for checking the rules on environmental protection.
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