21 May, 2011
Source: Straits Times
HANOI - HUNDREDS of ethnic Hmong are believed hiding in forests in north-west Vietnam after security forces dispersed thousands who were awaiting the supposed return of Jesus Christ on Saturday, a resident told AFP.
The rare account on Friday of the situation in Dien Bien province, which authorities have sealed from foreign reporters, contradicted government statements that normality has returned and people have gone home.
'We... say it's not normal,' said the resident, who cannot be further identified and whose account could not be independently verified. Hmong from across the country converged on the region three weeks ago.
The government said extremists used the gathering to advocate for a Hmong kingdom but the resident said he was unaware of such talk. Starting in late April about 10,000 northern Hmong gathered in Dien Bien's Muong Nhe district, but some came from as far away as the Central Highlands, the resident added.
They were lured by American radio broadcasts which said Jesus would return on May 21. The army and police later told the crowd to disperse, which most did, but more than 100 alleged 'leaders' were arrested and about 500 or 600 men fled to the forest, he said.
Hmong believe some of the troops came from the capital Hanoi, but residents did not fight them and there are no confirmed reports of casualties, he added. The runaways are believed still to be hiding in the forest, the resident said. 'They are afraid that the authorities may arrest them,' he explained. -- AFP
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