Remember the "curfew bell" in Binh Chuan

(Baonghean) - In the past, when the gong rang, families in all 8 villages of Binh Chuan commune (Con Cuong) fell into a deep sleep. The curfew gong was a sound that evoked a sense of peace and safety for everyone. Now, Binh Chuan has asphalt roads, "the mountains and forests have electricity instead of stars", but the curfew gong is absent at night, the security and order situation is quite complicated...

Propaganda against drug abuse in Binh Chuan (Con Cuong).

In the early 80s of the last century, every time I went to Binh Chuan (Con Cuong) for work, although the road was still difficult, mainly walking uphill and crossing streams, but once I got to Binh Chuan, I didn't want to go back because here the air was fresh, the food was delicious and clean, wild vegetables, stream fish, and security and order were guaranteed. I still remember one time, we had just dozed off when we suddenly heard the sound of a gong ringing, thinking something had happened, then the Party Secretary of Luong Dinh Hoan commune at that time explained that it was the "curfew gong" coming from the village chief's house, signaling that it was curfew time. That was also a message to people in other villages, that people would no longer receive guests from this time, everything would be resolved early the next morning. In case of necessity, when leaving the house, there must be 2 or more people and there must be a bright torch, and no noise must be made that would affect people's sleep. Mr. Hoan further explained: “In Binh Chuan, we use the gong to issue information orders. In the early morning, when the gong rings, it signals that it is time for people to go to work, children to go to school, or to signal the gathering of villagers for village activities. During the years when the Americans bombed the North, the gong was used to warn of air defense. When the country was peacefully unified, the gong was still a communication tool for the villagers, but it was mainly used to inform about meetings and work. But since the security situation in the village became complicated, the elders in the village proposed regulations on hours and used the gong to signal curfew. Thanks to that, the situation of theft and public disorder has decreased significantly, and people are no longer worried when they have to go out at night like before.”

The curfew gong started from Xieng village. People from other villages saw that Xieng village's method was really effective, so they immediately proposed to the commune people's committee to implement it in the whole commune. Along with Xieng village, Na Co village, Dinh village, Met village, Tong village, Que village, Quan village... at exactly 10 o'clock at night, the curfew gongs rang out simultaneously. People reminded each other not to make noise or to limit going out when not necessary. People said that for a long time, the security and order situation in Binh Chuan was peaceful thanks in part to the nightly gongs. The gongs helped people sleep soundly. Thanks to the curfew gongs, Binh Chuan at that time had no thefts, no petty losses, and village order and safety were guaranteed. In 1989, Binh Chuan was awarded the First Class Military Exploit Medal by the President, among many important achievements, including keeping the village peaceful for a long time.

To make Binh Chuan truly peaceful

When the “market economy” came to Binh Chuan, especially when there was an asphalt road connecting National Highway 48 with National Highway 7A, Binh Chuan had national grid electricity, people forgot the sound of the gong. Some people said that in the past, the sky was dark at night, criminals took advantage of the darkness to operate, but now the electricity is as bright as day, no criminals dare. Still in a sad voice, Mr. Luong Dinh Hoan said: Now the life of Binh Chuan people has changed a lot, people enjoy industrial civilization, have big roads, bright electricity, but the security and order situation is sometimes quite complicated, especially the situation of young people gathering at night to quarrel with passersby. With big roads, Binh Chuan forests are becoming more and more bare.

Former Chairman of Kha Van Truyen commune added that Binh Chuan is the intersection of 3 districts, bordering Tuong Duong district to the northwest and Quy Hop district to the northeast. Previously, the security and order situation was very peaceful. But for nearly ten years now, the security and order situation has been quite complicated, buffalo and cow thefts have occurred continuously, many young people often gather to smoke, drink alcohol and quarrel, people in the commune do not dare to go out at night. Young people now are involved in drug addiction, many social evils... causing resentment. Binh Chuan, from a clean and strong party organization for decades of the last century, has been unable to maintain the movement since the 2000s, causing concern for the elderly and the previous generation. In recent years, the movement has only risen to average and good levels, but there are still many potential risks of disorder and security. According to the people's proposal, the villages should re-apply the "curfew gong" so that Binh Chuan can be truly peaceful and the security and order situation can stabilize.

Article and photos:Phung Van Mui