Minister of Public Security General To Lam speaks at the conference. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Minister of Public Security General To Lam suggestedthe Government apply measures to prevent people illegally returning to Vietnamgiven the complex development of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At an online conference between the Government and localities on December 29,Lam stressed that the desire among Vietnamese expatriates to return to thehomeland is particularly high as the Lunar New Year (Tet) approaches.
Though the Government has brought home some 70,000 Vietnamese nationals fromabroad, a large number who work in neighbouring countries such as China,Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, also want to return.
Thousands of illegal border crossings have been documented since the start ofthe year, putting pressure on authorities at the local level.
“We are trying hard to handle unlawful returns,” Lam said. “A lack of effectivemeasures would have a critical impact on pandemic prevention, social security,and economic development, especially during the Tet holiday.”
Lam also told the participants that the number of criminal offences in 2020fell 6.8 percent year-on-year to around 50,000 cases, adding that his ministrywill work to reduce case numbers by at least 5 percent in 2021.
At the online conference between the Government and localities (Photo: VNA)Recommending the Government, ministries, and sectors mobilise people to preventcrimes, Lam said the Ministry of Public Security will continue efforts to fightcriminal enterprises, gangs, and syndicates, and exert full management over weaponsand explosive materials.
The police force will be developed at the communal level to ensure security andorder.
He proposed further attention be given to improving the livelihoods of peoplein remote and mountainous areas, especially in northwestern localities, the CentralHighlands, and the Mekong Delta.
Lam described the move as important for border security in strategic regions.
Since uneven regional development will put pressure on security and order, theGovernment should step up efforts to alleviate poverty in disadvantaged areas,he added.
Touching on economic security, Lam underscored that further activities shouldbe put in place to handle such challenges as transfer pricing, management offinance, monetary, securities, and money flows, business development,evaluation of enterprises’ health, trade fraud prevention, and landmanagement./.
VNA
