Not only are they skilled marksmen protecting national sovereignty and border security, but the soldiers in green uniforms in the mountainous border region of Son La also carry the mission of being a bridge between the people's hearts and the Party's will.

They are border guards seconded to participate in the Party committees of border communes; Party members introduced to participate in activities with Party branches in border villages; officers and professional soldiers assigned to be in charge of and support disadvantaged families, vulnerable groups, and those easily lured and exploited by hostile forces...

The Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Long Sap commune, Moc Chau district, Son La province, guides the people in implementing economic models.

What have these soldiers in green uniforms, carrying out their special mission, done to work with local Party committees and authorities to strengthen the political system, enhance leadership capacity, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Party committees and authorities at all levels in border areas, bringing about changes in the frontier regions of the homeland? This series of articles explores the question:Special Party members in the border region of Son La.The report by the VOV Northwest team of reporters addressed this issue.

The second mission on the shoulders of a soldier in uniform.

In line with the Party Central Committee's policy of strengthening the participation of border guard officers in the Party committees of border communes, in recent times, the Deputy Secretaries of the Party Committees in military uniform in Son La province have contributed to building "green steel ramparts" and "solid fortresses" throughout the high border regions.

The "revolution" that changed party members' thinking.

"Pa Khom village, Chieng Tuong commune, is a border village that I am in charge of. The Party branch in Pa Khom village used to have many problems, and even the branch secretary was involved in social vices. Party members didn't dare speak up because it involved relatives and family members..."

When I was assigned to take charge of the village, it coincided with the Party branch congress and the implementation of Conclusion No. 1037 of the Son La Provincial Party Committee, which stipulated that the Party branch secretary should also be the village head. I boldly proposed and advised the Party Committee to change the branch's activities and personnel. During the congress, many Party members were hesitant due to personal relationships. Afterwards, I remained resolute in making the change and appointing a capable and enthusiastic comrade to assume the position of Party branch secretary and village head."

The presence of the Deputy Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, who also wears a military uniform, has brought about noticeable changes in the border village of Pa Khom.

The "revolution" that changed the way of thinking and working of the Party committee and Party members, and transformed the appearance of the border village of Pa Khom, is a special memory for Mr. Quach Ngoc Dang, of the Chieng Tuong Border Guard Post, Son La Border Guard Command, when he was assigned to participate in the Party committee and held the position of Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Chieng Tuong commune, Yen Chau district, Son La province.

That is also something that the people of Pa Khom appreciate and cherish, as shared by Mr. Phang Lao Chanh, Party Secretary and head of Pa Khom village: "Previously, Pa Khom had some Party members whose ideology was not yet stable. After Comrade Dang took charge of the village, he provided guidance and persuaded the Party members in the branch, clearly explaining the Party's viewpoints. Now, Pa Khom has undergone significant changes. The Party branch has united its members, helping the people develop socio-economic conditions and ensuring national defense and security. Since then, the Party members in the branch have complied well, and none of them have violated the law."

In 2016, Mr. Quach Ngoc Dang was among the first officers of the Chieng Tuong Border Guard Station, as well as the Son La Border Guard Force, to shoulder this mission, following the Party Central Committee's policy of strengthening the Border Guard Force's participation in Party committees at the commune level in border areas.

“Initially, I faced some difficulties because I was living in a military environment, and the living conditions and environment changed upon arriving at the grassroots level. However, in my role as Deputy Secretary, and with the spirit of a soldier, I overcame these difficulties. During my time at the grassroots level, I was also very loved and treated warmly by the local people, who provided support to help me successfully complete my nhiệm vụ,” Mr. Dang said.

Mr. Quách Ngọc Đăng (standing in the middle) has made many contributions to the border villages of Chiềng Tương.

For nearly two terms as Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Chieng Tuong commune, Mr. Dang contributed to strengthening the grassroots political system in the border region, such as resolutely appointing capable people as branch secretaries and village heads; guiding branches to improve the quality of their activities, etc.

In 2016, the Party Committee of Chieng Tuong commune had only 180 party members and 13 branches, including 2 branches that lacked stability. Today, the commune's Party Committee has 15 branches and over 260 party members. The lives of the people have gradually changed, especially in the four border villages where 100% of the population are ethnic Mong people.

Border villages are changing day by day.

Mr. Lu Van Cuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Chau District, Son La Province, affirmed: The policy of strengthening border guard officers at the grassroots level is a very correct one. In practice, officers assigned to the grassroots have advised local Party committees and authorities to issue leadership resolutions on economic development in border communes, military-civilian cooperation programs, and especially on protecting the border and boundary markers, ensuring security and order in the area.

Transforming complex border areas

The image of the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee wearing a military uniform is also deeply etched in the hearts of cadres, Party members, and the people of Tan Xuan border commune, Van Ho district, Son La province - a land once devastated by drugs, illegal migration, and illegal religious activities...

Having stayed close to the people since his time as a border guard officer, and with decades of experience, when he was assigned as Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Tan Xuan commune, Lieutenant Colonel Do Van Loi advised the local Party committee, government, and the unit's command on many solutions to strengthen the political foundation; resolving incidents promptly, preventing them from escalating into "hot spots" of security and order that could affect the local socio-economic development.

“In the past, there were many drug addicts, leading to theft, drug trafficking… I coordinated with the Party committee, the government, and the families of the addicts to encourage them to seek treatment. When complex incidents occurred in the area, I reported to my superiors, proposed to the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and the People's Committee, and coordinated the assignment of people to the grassroots level to understand the situation, grasp the thoughts of the people, and gradually resolve the issues. Together with village elders, heads of hamlets, and influential people there, we propagated and mobilized them,” Lieutenant Colonel Do Van Loi recounted.

Lieutenant Colonel Do Van Loi, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Tan Xuan commune, has been actively promoting and encouraging many misguided individuals to seek treatment for drug addiction.

The presence of border guards in the Party Committee of Tan Xuan commune has significantly contributed to transforming an area that was previously difficult and complex in terms of security and order. For many consecutive years, Tan Xuan has been recognized as a safe commune in terms of security and order; the poverty rate has decreased to below 27%.

That is a source of pride and joy for Mr. Ha Van Phui and the people here. “People's lives are more stable, security and order are better ensured, and the number of drug addicts has decreased significantly compared to before. People are increasingly trusting in the leadership of the comrades, and are confident in their production and economic development.”

From policy to practice

The turning point and changes in the highland border villages of Son La province serve as proof of the results after more than 8 years of implementing the policy of strengthening the participation of border guard officers in the Party committees of border communes.

The policy of strengthening the participation of Border Guard troops in Party committees at the commune level in border areas is of particular interest to Son La province.

Colonel Ca Van Lap, Political Commissar of the Son La Border Guard Command, stated: "In recent years, to contribute to strengthening the political system at the grassroots level in the province's border areas, the Party Committee and the Provincial Border Guard Command have organized the implementation of the Secretariat's Conclusion and the Central Organization Committee's Guidance on the policy of increasing the number of Party committee members from border guard posts participating in district and commune-level Party committees. At the same time, we have advised the Provincial Party Standing Committee to issue decisions and regulations on coordination between the Border Guard Party Committee and the district Party committees of border districts regarding the protection of border sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the building of a strong all-people border defense system in the locality."

Currently, the Party Committee of the Border Guard Command of Son La province has deployed 17 Border Guard officers to reinforce 17 border communes, participating in Party committees, holding the position of Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee in charge of Party building work, consolidating the grassroots political system, and participating in the People's Councils at the commune level. At the same time, 4 commanders of border posts have been nominated to participate in the Party committees at the district level in border areas.

The work of developing Party members in disadvantaged areas is given special attention by the Deputy Secretaries of the Commune Party Committee.

Lieutenant Colonel Dao Manh Tuong, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of the Son La Provincial Border Guard, said: "We base our selection on the qualities, capabilities, reputation of the officers, and their knowledge of national defense and security, socio-economics, and the political system at the grassroots level. Based on this, we advise the Party Committee and the Provincial Border Guard Command to select and recommend officers to local Party committees. In addition, we also consider their aspirations, as well as their knowledge of local culture, society, and customs, to determine which officers should be assigned to reinforce border areas."

The contributions of the Deputy Secretaries of the Commune Party Committee, who also wear military uniforms, have helped improve the lives of the people.
The border region of Son La has undergone many changes.

Over 270km of Son La province's border stretches across numerous communes and villages, from lowlands to highlands, including areas inhabited by ethnic minorities, where life remains difficult and full of hardships. And there, border guards have contributed to strengthening the local political system, building a solid border defense posture, and developing strong and comprehensive border localities; contributing to the firm protection of national border security and sovereignty in the new situation.

Not only has the presence of Party members in "green uniforms" reinforced border guard personnel in border communes, but it has also contributed to improving the effectiveness of Party branches in border villages, and provided an opportunity for border guards to fulfill their noble mission: bridging the gap between the people's hearts and the Party's will. This is the content of Article 2, titled: "Special Party Members in the Border Region."

Reporters Group/VOV - Northwest