General Nguyen Huu Cau: Nghe An police are mobilizing unprecedented forces to investigate hydropower plants.

At the discussion session of the Provincial People's Council on the afternoon of July 10, Major General Nguyen Huu Cau - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of Nghe An Provincial Police, said that the unit has just initiated a criminal case to investigate the act of Involuntary manslaughter due to violation of professional rules and administrative rules according to Article 129 of the Penal Code against Nam Non Hydropower Plant. This move took place after the hydropower plant discharged water without notice, causing the death of Mr. Vi Van May (Xieng Huong village, Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong) more than a month ago, which Nghe An Newspaper has reported many articles about.

Major General Nguyen Huu Cau: Prosecuted the case of Nam Non hydropower plant releasing the gate without notice causing death

(Baonghean.vn) - Major General Nguyen Huu Cau - Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Director of Nghe An Police Department said that the investigation agency has initiated a case related to the Nam Non Hydropower Plant releasing water without notice, causing death.

Major General Nguyen Huu Cau. Photo: Tien Hung

“This is the first case we have prosecuted, the first time we have had to take legal action against hydropower plants. Previously, the government and people complained for a long time but the hydropower plants still refused to do anything. Now we have to use the law to handle it,” said Major General Nguyen Huu Cau, adding that the provincial police have set up an investigation team in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.The Department of Industry and Trade, the Provincial People's Procuracy... to conduct an autopsy and the entire scene of this incident and "will handle it strictly".

However, this is not the only move of the Provincial Police against hydropower plants. According to Major General Nguyen Huu Cau, in addition to this content, Nghe An Police are also focusing on investigating the construction process of hydropower plants, including related categories.construction items and project appraisal to determine “whose responsibility it is”. “The Nam Non Hydropower Plant alone is less than 20 meters from people’s houses, and the noise alone is unbearable for people. Therefore, we have to do this to hit the stick at all agencies and departments responsible for appraising and directing the construction of hydropower plants”, General Cau emphasized.

The Director of Nghe An Police went to the foot of the Nam Non Hydropower Dam, where Vi Van May died, to inspect and investigate the incident. Photo: Tien Hung

In another direction, Nghe An police are synthesizing and re-investigating all the damage caused by the flood discharge at the end of August last year, which caused heavy losses to 171 households, many of whom have yet to receive compensation. “This is an issue we are doing to protect the rights of the people. If necessary, we will make a recommendation to bring the case to court. You cannot do business to make a profit and cause damage to the people without compensating,” said the head of Nghe An police.

In addition, Nghe An Police will also investigate violations of hydropower plants according to the provisions of Decree 134 of the Government on the operation of hydropower plants and reservoirs. If violations are detected, recommendations will be made and directly handled.

In recent years, every time the rainy season comes, many people have to live in the open air because their houses are washed away into the hydroelectric reservoir. Photo: Tien Hung

“This is the first time the provincial police have gathered a large force to do four things like this. This is also an opportunity for us to build a legal basis so that we can handle similar cases in the future, and I am confident that we will succeed,” said Major General Nguyen Huu Cau, asking all levels and sectors to unanimously say no to the new hydropower plant.

"If building hydropower plants harms people's interests, then why do it?" he said.