Tomb sweepers held for ranger assault

Two tomb sweepers who allegedly beat a park ranger who confronted them about lighting cigarettes and burning spirit papers have been arrested.

The incident occurred about 9 am Friday, in advance of Tomb Sweeping Festival on Monday, in a country park in the Shijingshan district, police said.

Zhang Shuquan, 56, was patrolling the park when he overheard a volunteer quarreling with three men and two women who were holding a small memorial service at a gravesite. The three men were smoking, burning spirit papers and lighting cigarettes as sacrifices.