Disciplinary action against police major accused of leading thugs to beat up civilians
After three weeks of suspension, Major Ta Thanh Hoa received a disciplinary warning.
Mr. Vo Van Choi, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ngoc To Commune (My Xuyen, Soc Trang), said at the meeting on the morning of April 6, the district police announced to discipline Major Ta Thanh Hoa, former Chief of Ngoc To Commune Police, with a warning from the authorities.
"After the District Police Party Committee meets, the results will be transferred to the commune so that the Commune Party Committee can discipline Mr. Hoa in terms of the Party, with a form that could be equivalent to the government," said Mr. Choi.
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| Major Ta Thanh Hoa (left cover) at the scene on the first day of the Lunar New Year.Photo cut from clip. |
Mr. Choi also said that My Xuyen District Police did not give details about Mr. Hoa's violations, but only said that he "led people to fight with the people, violating the regulations of the police force." According to Mr. Choi, the administrative discipline before Party discipline is managed by Major Hoa, who is on the police force's payroll.
Nearly two months ago, Mr. Hoa and his subordinates went to the house of Mr. Vo Van Sung's son (residing in Luong Van Huynh hamlet, Ngoc To commune), Mr. Vo Van Hieu, when the homeowner was away. A police officer said that on New Year's Eve, Mr. Hieu set off firecrackers, but Mr. Sung's wife (Ms. Thu Ha) and daughters denied it.
Ms. Kieu Phuong (Mrs. Ha's daughter) used her phone to record the incident but was stopped by Major Hoa.
"After the two sides exchanged words, Mr. Hoa said that if anything happened in the future, don't call the police, they won't come down, then he left," Ms. Ha said.
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| Ms. Kieu Trang pointed to the place where thugs attacked her house and swung knives at Ms. Kieu Phuong. |
About two hours later, Mr. Sung was preparing food for his family to drink beer when they saw two motorbikes carrying four people stop in front of the house. Hearing the noise outside, Mrs. Ha stepped out and saw two people pull out weapons and slash Ms. Phuong, but the girl dodged in time.
"Among the four people, Mr. Hoa was wearing a mask, but I recognized him because I met the commune police chief every day. During the scuffle, Mr. Hoa's car was pushed by the crowd into the pond next to my mother's house," said Ms. Kieu Trang (Kieu Phuong's sister).
Three weeks ago, Mr. Hoa was suspended from work by Soc Trang Provincial Police to clarify his violations.