Warning about conflict resolution using homemade flintlock guns

(Baonghean) - In late March 2012, people in Muong Long commune (Ky Son) were buzzing about the death of Lau Va Chenh (35 years old, residing in Muong Long 2 village). Just because of conflicts with family members, Mr. Chenh committed suicide by firing a flintlock gun. Lau Va Chenh's suicide by flintlock gun once again raised the alarm about the proliferation of homemade guns among the people, especially ethnic minorities.

KY Son is one of the complex areas in terms of production and use of homemade guns, mainly flintlock guns. In fact, in the past, in the minds of ethnic minorities, flintlock guns were a type of production tool. Because they lived in the wild mountains and forests, surviving on slash-and-burn farming and hunting wild animals, there were times when flintlock guns became "inseparable objects" of highland men, especially the Mong ethnic group.

Anh Son District Police seized dangerous weapons

For the Mong people, flintlock guns represent the bravery of men through the "spoils of war" obtained from hunting trips. This shows that homemade guns have long been associated with many people in the highlands, so mobilizing people to voluntarily hand them over to the authorities is not an easy task and cannot be done in a day or two.

In recent times, the socio-economic conditions of the highland districts have initially improved due to the investment policies of the Party and the State along with the positive results of the process of restructuring crops and livestock. The lives of the people have changed in all aspects, many families and villages have pushed back poverty and backwardness. Realizing that flintlock guns and other homemade guns can cause insecurity and disorder, the authorities at all levels and functional agencies have proposed a policy to mobilize people to voluntarily hand them over. Because if the situation of homemade guns is allowed to circulate, it will first of all threaten the survival of rare animals that need to be protected. But more importantly, it will affect the security and order situation, threatening the lives of the people.

Implementing the policy of mobilizing the surrender of weapons, the functional sectors have recently achieved certain results. Major Hoang Van Huy, Political Commissar of My Ly Border Guard Station (Ky Son) said: "In 2011, we mobilized people in the two communes of My Ly and Bac Ly to surrender more than 200 flintlock guns". In Tuong Duong district, according to recent data, the functional forces seized 123 homemade guns, 7 gun barrels and 48 detonators. Implementing Directive 13/CT-UB of the Provincial People's Committee on the recovery of illegal weapons and explosives, since the beginning of the year, the Provincial Border Guard Command has coordinated with local authorities in the border area to mobilize people to hand over 138 homemade guns, 66 gun barrels, 2 CKC military guns, 1 rocket warhead, 1 artillery shell, 6kg of explosives, 3 detonators, 25 knives and swords of various types...

The above figures are only initial results, in reality, homemade guns are still circulating among the people. In Ky Son district, there is still a situation of using homemade guns to resolve conflicts. Specifically, about 3 years ago in Muong Tip commune, due to getting drunk and getting into an argument and fight, two brothers Cut Van Thanh and Cut Van Than went home to get homemade guns to threaten two brothers Hoc Pho Ken and Hoc Pho Hoang. Fortunately, soldiers from Muong Tip Border Guard Station were present in time and intervened, so no murder occurred.

Not long ago, in Huoi Tu commune, due to a land dispute between two households, the two sides used flintlock guns to resolve the conflict, but soldiers from the Base Construction Team No. 1 (under the Military Command of Ky Son district) stationed in the area were present and promptly seized the two flintlock guns. Not to mention unusual accidents like the one that happened last year in Bac Ly commune. Two men carried guns into the forest to hunt. In the dark, dense forest, one mistook the other for prey, pointed a flashlight at the other and opened fire. As a result, one person died on the spot due to a bullet in the head, and the recent suicide of Lau Va Chenh in Muong Long was also related to flintlock guns.

The complicated situation of using flintlock guns requires the collection and mobilization of people to hand them over to be carried out skillfully and resolutely. Talking to us, Lieutenant Colonel Dau Sy Hung, Captain of Base Construction Team No. 1 (Ky Son) said: "Mobilizing people to hand over homemade guns is not an easy task, because it is an item that has been with them for a long time, so it is not easy for them to give it up. When we closely monitor each village and each family, people bring guns into the forest and hide them in their camps.

Therefore, we must both persistently mobilize and persuade, and strengthen supervision work." The approach of Muong Tip Border Guard Station is also considered effective. In addition to confiscating, the unit has deployed the construction of "point" models. That is, selecting families of village cadres, village elders and prestigious people in the community who do not manufacture, store and use homemade guns. When prestigious people set an example, the villagers will voluntarily follow suit.

According to the experience of Major Hoang Van Huy, Political Commissar of My Ly Border Guard Station (Ky Son): "Implementing the motto "Staying in the village, staying in the village, persistently mobilizing", ethnic people will realize the harm and voluntarily hand over homemade guns".

Cong Kien