Nearly 80 households set up tents to prevent the operations of Giang Sơn Manufacture, Trade and Services Joint-Stock Company’s asphalt mixing station on Monday night.

The company is located in Tenh Che Village, Hong Phong Commune, Cao Loc District, in the northern mountainous province of Lang Son.

The station has been operating in the village for years.

Nguyen Van At, 66, who lives in a house opposite the station, said that during the past week, the station had been working at night and would discharge a foul smell the following morning.

Ngo Van Danh, another resident, who owns a rice field and fruit garden near the station, said in recent years, the appearance of his fruit and rice crops had been affected by the large amount of dust generated by the station.

Danh said the station had not only affected residents in Tenh Che Village but had also discharged wastewater that affected residents in the Con Quyen, Con Lang and Con Chu villages.

The wastewater had run into water sources for agricultural manufacturers, and some ducks had died a few days after being exposed to the water.

Local residents sent a petition to the commune, district and provincial authorities, requesting that the station be moved from the residential area, but they did not receive a reply.

Ngo Quang Nam, chairman of the Hong Phong Commune People’s Committee, said the commune authorities had spoken to local residents to warn them against causing a public disturbance, saying they would discuss the matter with the company and the residents to seek suitable solutions.

VNS