Vietnam says US-based group, culprit behind social disturbance

Social order in Vietnam's capital Hanoi and southern Ho Chi Minh City have been recently disrupted due to mass gatherings held in the name of environment protection using the context of the unusual mass fish deaths in the country's central coastal region.

"The U.S.-based terrorist organization Viet Tan was the real culprit behind the social disturbances," according to Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA on Wednesday.

Viet Tan members inside and outside the country incited people, including juveniles and ex-convicts, to gather at public places. They even delivered money to participants, with the hidden intention of blowing up the protest into a riot, thus hindering the upcoming general elections, said VNA.

Regarding the incident, spokesperson of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) recently "delivered inaccurate information which lack objectivity," according to VNA report.

The UNHCR spokesperson's accusation that"Vietnam used acts of violence against women and children who attended the gatherings"is baseless and totally distorted the fact, said VNA.

"Vietnam always respects relevant international conventions, and has implemented necessary measures to safeguard safety for people, particularly among the elderly, women and children. Following Vietnamese legal regulations, only violators will be punished."

Vietnamese relevant agencies have arrested two suspects who received money from Viet Tan to collect, spread distorted information in order to incite people to protest against Vietnamese government.

Therefore, Vietnamese government has taken necessary measures to ensure political and social stability as well as safeguarding residents' livings. Those who violate laws, threaten common interests of the society and basic interests of the country must be severely punished, said VNA.

Following the guidance of the government, Vietnamese relevant authorities as well as domestic and foreign scientists are investigating the cause of the environmental incident. Vietnamese government will not tolerate violations of individuals or organizations that led to the serious environmental incident, said VNA.

Mass fish death incident occurred in Vietnam's Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces since early April.