Police confirm girl drowned to avoid protests

By Cui Jia (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-06 08:04

In an apparent attempt to prevent protests in Guizhou province, police released details into what they believe is the drowning of a 19-year-old girl.

The similar death of a young woman in the same province last year sparked violent protests.

Xiao Feng, deputy director of Liupaishui municipal public bureau, told a press conference at the weekend that Yao Yao, a 19-year-old waitress found dead in a pond in Liupanshui on Jan 13 last year, had drowned.

Xiao said there was no evidence to suggest she had been raped or murdered, as her parents believe. The couple is refusing to have her body cremated as a result.

Yao's parents have said that the 1.55-m tall girl could not drown in a 1-m-deep pond without unusual circumstances. She was last seen being picked up from work by her boyfriend on Jan 11. Last June, a police report on the death of junior high school student Li Shufen ignited a violent protest of more than 30,000 people in Weng'an, Guizhou.

Police said the 17-year-old drowned but her family and relatives contended she was raped and murdered. Protestors overturned police vehicles and set fire to government buildings

In Yao's death, police determined she had died from accidental drowning and decided not to investigate further.

Her parents were against the decision and urged officers to investigate the case as a homicide, but police refused.

With more than 60 relatives, Yao's parents went to Liupanshui city government in August to ask the police to re-investigate Yao's death. Her case was then reopened and a second autopsy conducted. The police again concluded she drowned.

But her parents remained unconvinced. In an attempt to clarify the case, a government hearing was held in April with police and Yao's family present. The police conclusion was said to be fair and accurate.

However, Yao's parents have continued to appeal to higher authorities within the province, as well as in Beijing.

In an apparent attempt to stop the case from escalating, the Liupaishui municipal public security bureau held a press conference on Saturday to share the investigation details with the public.

After the Weng'an mass protest, local officials were urged to be more patient and respectful when handling social disputes.

Calls were made for better public access to information to boost the credibility of government, and local governments were asked to address social disputes properly and in a timely manner so small issues do not become big ones.