BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Students go on rampage in China

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Students go on rampage in China

Students go on rampage in China
By James Reynolds
BBC News, Beijing

Hundreds of students have rioted against the police in central China.

Witnesses said the unrest, in the city of Zhengzhou in Henan province, was sparked on Wednesday after a student was beaten by police.

She had been selling items on the street, apparently without a licence. There was an argument and reports say officials broke her front teeth.

At this point other students began to gather round and witnesses say hundreds clashed with police and burned cars.

The police called in reinforcements.

Roads were blocked into the night. On Thursday morning, the city was reported to be quiet.

Six police officers have now been arrested for their part in the disturbances and their superiors have also been reprimanded.

This kind of large protest makes the Chinese Communist Party very uneasy. It is deeply wary of social unrest.

But the central government also wants to show that it is prepared to take action against heavy-handed local authorities.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6729557.stm

Published: 2007/06/07 09:14:30 GMT