Vietnamese police have announced the investigation into a deadly clash in Hanoi suburbs which killed three policemen and one protester over land disputes.

Major General To An Xo, chief of the Office of the Ministry of Public Security. Photo: VNA

Offenders will be charged with three crimes namely murder, illegally storing and using military weapons, and resisting law enforcement under the 2017 revised Penal Code, according to Major General To An Xo, chief of the Office of the Ministry of Public Security.

The standoff between police and civilians happened since December 31, 2019 in Dong Tam commune, My Duc district, causing fatal consequences.

To An Xo claimed that “30 protesters” had been detained on January 9 and “eight grenades, dozens of knives and 20 unused Molotov cocktail, among other weapons, were seized at the scene.”

He said that the situation has been “under control” and barriers have actually been put up on the road leading to the neighborhood, while those desiring to get in or leave the location need to show identification documents to authorities.

Man-made weapons seized in Dong Tam commune. Photo: VNA

Tensions sparked two years ago over the construction of the Mieu Mon military airfield in the districts of Chuong My and My Duc, including Dong Tam commune which is about 40 kilometers south of Hanoi.

Farmers in Dong Tam were requested to hand over 47 hectares of land that they rented for farming on the intended airport project, which has been handed over to military-run Viettel Group.

The public blames the local authorities for the slack control of the military land that they are tasked to guard, allowing encroachment of nearby farmers into military property for farming for so long.