Hilltribes resent government coffee plantations on their land

In another development, the Nhan Dan (People) newspaper published the section of the criminal code which covers rioting and anti-state activity on Thursday, which correspondents interpreted as a warning to potential demonstrators.

Offences under the code can result in the death penalty.

There have been widespread expressions of concern over the unrest, following a Vietnamese crackdown in the region.

Religious repression

Human rights groups have accused the government of carrying out religious repression, citing the crackdown on Protestant "house churches" which have attracted many followers from ethnic hilltribes.

Some religious sources have said that up to 60 people have been arrested, including some church leaders.

Ethnic minority groups make up 15% of the population

The People's Army newspaper said the troops had been ordered to distribute free rice and medicine to people in the Central Highlands and help with infrastructure projects.

The soldiers would be asked to try to persuade local families to accept them as guests and spread awareness of party policy, although the paper admitted that few spoke the local languages.

Over the past two days, state television has boradcast brief footage of the unrest, in which masked protesters were shown hurling rocks at riot police.

Clashes

A new decree warns against complaints against the state and party

The latest reports suggest that the ethnic tensions in the region are far more serious than was thought and may date back to October.

One report said that a clash broke out when police dismantled a wooden prayer house in a village near Pleiku, the capital of Gia Lai province.

Three men were arrested for trying to stop police, while some members of the Jarai tribe were wounded.

Amnesty Interntional has said that 24 hilltribe fugitives who fled to Cambodia should be granted asylum, saying they would face persecution if they returned to Vietnam.