Villagers protest quarry operations in S China

By Zhan Lisheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-20 10:28

GUANGZHOU: Local villagers who are dissatisfied with the compensation given to them for damage to their houses from local quarry operations showed their frustration Wednesday by blockading the quarry and later causing a confrontation with the local police in Fengkai, a county in northwestern Guangdong province.

More than 60 villagers blocked the quarry of China Resources Cement (Fengkai) Ltd at about 2 pm to show their frustrations about the operation of the quarry and the damages to their homes. Three police officers who had rushed to the scene were held hostage for more than eight hours, according to a bulletin released by the county government of Fengkai on its official website.

The confrontation soon intensified when nearly 100 armed police officers hurried there to rescue their detained colleagues. Meanwhile more than 300 other villagers joined in the protest.

"The police did not fight back and instead they retreated away from the spot to avoid further anger of the villagers. The confrontation was brought under control Thursday morning after local leaders' persuasion worked."

According to the bulletin, about 20 villagers are suspected to have organized the violence. Local police have arrested four suspects and have urged others to turn themselves in.

Some of the protesters say the quarry operations threaten their homes.

According to the bulletin, the county government and China Resources Cement (Fengkai) Ltd will jointly pool 50 million yuan ($7.3 million) to cover the expenses related to the relocation and reinforcement of the local villagers' houses.