Mobile police forces were dispatched to Dak Lak's Cu Kuin District to apprehend the armed group that attacked two People's Committee offices in Ea Ktur and Ea Tieu communes on June 11.
Dozens of assailants used guns, swords, knives and homemade bombs to murder nine people, including officials, police officers and civilians. They also used Molotov cocktails to set the offices, vehicles and people on fire.
The Ministry of Public Security said their acts were "organized, reckless and barbaric."
Hundreds of officers from multiple forces were divided into armed groups to scour some of Dak Lak's most remote and rugged areas.
The hunted assailants had escaped into the hills, forests and fields following the attacks.
During their escape, they also took a group of construction workers hostage.
Major general Le Ngoc Chau (C), chief commanding officer of the mobile police forces, instructed his men during the hunt for the murderers.
One suspect was captured by the police while hiding in a local orchard.
On the first day of the hunt, 16 suspects were nabbed and two hostages were rescued. One hostage managed to free himself.
"We incapacitated and disarmed the assailants. Many of them… didn't resist," an officer said.
With the help of locals who know the area, the special operations managed to capture 18 suspects hiding throughout Cu Kuin District.
An incapacitated suspect is transported to police headquarters in Cu Kuin District.
Most of the members of the armed group were from Krong Buk District. They said they were instructed to kill people on sight. They were also ordered to steal weapons and valuables, as well as destroy property.
Police officers record the confessions of two men suspected of attacking the People's Committee offices.
Major general Le Vinh Quy, director of Dak Lak police, said Tuesday that 74 suspects had been arrested, including all leaders of the group.
Dak Lak police said hostile forces took advantage of certain lawsuits regarding ethnic minority communities in certain districts to spread the false information that authorities had stolen people's land. They used the Internet to incite people into committing the attacks.
