Gangs crackdown after Weng'an riot

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-7-3  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

POLICE in southwestern China's Guizhou Province yesterday announced a four-month crackdown on gangs accused of inciting violence over a teenager's death.

Luo Yi, police chief of Qiannan prefecture, which administers Weng'an County, the scene of violent protests on Saturday, said the crackdown would "target gangs and criminal elements in Weng'an and its neighboring areas."

Police would also investigate the illegal possession of guns and explosives, gambling, and other organized criminal activities, he said.

Luo said Saturday's violence was "fanned and exacerbated by local gangs and criminals, who were organized in sending gasoline, machetes, clubs and fireworks to aid the destruction."

Up to 30,000 people were involved in the protest, which was prompted by a police report into the death of 17-year-old Li Shufen. Police concluded she had drowned, but her family and relatives say she was raped and killed.

The protest turned violent and rioters mobbed government office buildings. More than 150 police and protesters were injured. About 160 offices and more than 40 vehicles were torched.

Police believe 134 people committed the destruction. They took 59 people into custody. Sixteen of them are in police detention.

Luo said Li's death was an ordinary civil case and the gangs "made efforts to fan the flames."

Zhao Chenggui, who witnessed the voilence, said 200 to 300 young men led the riot at the government facilities. "They whistled with a long blast for charge and a short blast for retreat," he said.

"At times the whistles were drowned out by the noise, and the men shouted and gestured each other to continue the attack," he added.

The provincial government has since reopened the investigation into the girl's death.

A third autopsy on Li was carried out by five experts from the Guizhou Provincial Department of Public Security and the Provincial Higher People's Court yesterday.

Her father, Li Xiuhua, aunt Luo Xingju and a local villager who was elected to witness the autopsy were present.

Li's body was buried in her hometown of Yuhua Township yesterday afternoon. Hundreds of local villagers were present at her funeral.