Twenty-four people were detained, five were approved for arrest, 36 received administrative punishment and two others were sent to a local community for compulsory narcotics detoxification in Maoming, Guangdong province, following a violent protest against the construction of a petrochemical plant, China News Service reported.
The individuals were suspected of violating laws and regulations during a protest against the project in the western port city at the end of March in a case that has drawn attention at home and abroad.
On March 30, about 1,000 people rallied in front of the city's Party committee building to protest the construction of a plant to make paraxylene, also known as PX, which is used in the manufacture of polyester and other products.
The protesters threw stones, eggs and water bottles at local police officers who came to the scene that afternoon to maintain social order.
About 40 people stopped and burned ambulances, fire trucks and private cars operating along local streets and beat police officers who tried to intervene.
After the crowd was dispersed, the suspects continued to damage billboards and shop windows, the police said.
zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn
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