Protest organizer seized in Sichuan

By Joey Yang  |   2008-12-24  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

POLICE in Sichuan Province have caught a suspect who allegedly organized and directed a violent protest in northwest China's Gansu Province in November.

Li Baogang, a native of Nanchong City, Sichuan Province, was seized at a coffee shop in the province's Yilong County on the night of last Thursday, Sichuan's provincial news Website Newssc.org reported yesterday.

The report did not provide detailed information about the suspect but said he was an entrepreneur in Longnan City.

More than 30 residents in Dongjiang Township, Longnan's Wudu District, who faced resettlement, gathered at the city's government buildings around 9:30am on November 17, asking the authorities for solutions concerning their farmland, housing and livelihoods.

The protesters talked with officials but failed to reach agreement. That night more people joined them and some of the protesters attacked government buildings, damaged vehicles and injured policemen, the Website said.

Later statistics showed that 74 people were injured including 69 armed police, two policemen and three TV reporters.