Mr. Nguyen Nhat Chung was attacked by illegal loggers and lost his left eye - Photo: DUY NGOC
Once in danger of death, severely injured and losing an eye, but with will and determination, Nguyen Nhat Chung overcame all difficulties and hardships, determined to stay in the forest, stay at the post to protect the forest.
The Night of Horror 3 years ago
Sitting under the shade of a neem tree (also known as Indian mahogany, sầu đâu tree) in front of the Phước Diêm Forest Protection Management Station, managed by the Thuận Nam Coastal Protection Forest Management Board, Mr. Chung recounted the terrifying story that happened to him 3 years ago.
In early April 2021, he was assigned to the mobile forest protection post at Sung Trau cape on the coastal route Mui Dinh - Ca Na to coordinate with patrol forces to crack down on illegal exploitation and transportation of forest products in Thuan Nam district.
"At around 7pm on April 4, 2021, I was riding my motorbike to the checkpoint when 3-4 young men on motorbikes chased me at high speed. Seeing the danger, I turned my motorbike back to the station to report when suddenly these people blocked my way and shone their lights into my eyes. Then they used a weapon to attack my face, causing me to lose consciousness," Mr. Chung recalled.
When he woke up, Chung realized he was seriously injured: his jaw was broken and his left eye was damaged.
Due to health problems, Nguyen Nhat Chung no longer works in the forest, but is assigned to another suitable job at Phuoc Diem Forest Protection Management Station - Photo: DUY NGOC
After the incident, Chung had to undergo 5 surgeries and had to stay away from the forest for more than a year.
"After 5 surgeries, I still have 3 screws fixing my jaw and forehead. Knowing that I have lost an eye forever, I am extremely miserable. My 70-year-old mother cries day and night, and my wife has to quit her job to stay home and take care of me," Chung confided.
What still makes Mr. Chung angry is that nearly 4 years have passed but the people who caused serious injuries, causing him to lose an eye, have not been found and punished by law.
Miss the forest
After surgery, Mr. Chung was transferred home to continue treatment, but due to sequelae, he had to go to the hospital in Ho Chi Minh City twice a year for check-ups and medication.
The biggest consolation for Mr. Chung was that during his days of outpatient treatment, the unit's leaders and colleagues were always by his side, supporting him with everything they could, from treatment costs to daily work.
Due to his limited health, Mr. Chung can no longer go to the forest, so the unit arranged a suitable job for him at the Phuoc Diem Forest Protection Management Station.
"Many times, while sitting down to eat with my colleagues at the station, I heard news that someone was digging up ornamental plants and illegally transporting forest products in the forest. By instinct, I threw down my bowl and stood up to put on my uniform. But then I suddenly remembered my health..." - Chung sadly left the sentence unfinished.
Now, Mr. Chung only participates in forest protection patrols at some nearby locations. In addition, he also actively participates in activities and movements organized by the unit and locality.
An illegal forest product transporter used a knife to threaten forest rangers - Photo: DUY NGOC
Police have difficulty investigating the case that seriously injured Mr. Chung.
Mr. Tran Ngoc Hieu - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ninh Thuan province - said that in the past 3 years, there have been dozens of consecutive attacks on forest rangers in Ninh Thuan.
"Mr. Chung's case is the most serious. The perpetrators of this case have not yet been found to be prosecuted. We hope that the investigation agency will soon find the perpetrators to ensure the safety of the forest rangers," said Mr. Hieu.
At a recent press conference organized by the Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee, a Tuoi Tre Online reporter asked about the results of the investigation into the attack that seriously injured Nguyen Nhat Chung.
Responding, Major Tran Hoang Nguyen Vu - Deputy Chief of Staff of Ninh Thuan Provincial Police - said that because the incident happened at night and there were no cameras recording images of the suspects who injured Mr. Chung as he described, the investigation process encountered many difficulties.
"Currently, the case is still within the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution. According to the law, the statute of limitations for the case is 15 years. The Investigation Police Agency of Thuan Nam District Police is still coordinating with the District People's Procuracy to resolve the case," said a representative of the Ninh Thuan Provincial Police.
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