Yunnan rocked by riot after alleged police brutality

Hundreds people have rioted in Yunnan Province in southwestern China, overturning and smashing several police vehicles, state media and an official said yesterday.

The riot occurred late on Monday in Guiyang City, shortly after a man was allegedly beaten by officers hired by police for not possessing a temporary residence permit, Guiyang Metropolitan newspaper reported.

Outrage

A reporter at the local newspaper, who declined to be identified, said that around 300 people, mostly farmers turned migrant laborers, took part in the riot after being outraged by the beating.

"[The migrant] was fined, but he refused to pay so they started fighting and shortly after, many people got involved," he said. "We heard several people have been arrested."

The report said that police sent to handle the riot were chased by rock-throwing protesters and nine police vehicles were damaged. Several were overturned by the crowd.

The crowd also smashed the windscreen of a reporter's car while a taxi driver was beaten, the report said.

Comments on an Internet chatroom said city authorities often try to find excuses to exploit migrants, imposing a range of petty fees on them for staying in their cities.

"The police are just after money," one posting said.

People power

"The people power is great," another said.

The Qianling township police station confirmed the incident and said one police officer was being medically treated. It refused further comment.

The report said the incident subsided by early on Tuesday after police arrested about 10 people involved in the riot.

The number of "public order disturbances" throughout China rose 6.6 percent to 87,000 last year, according to government statistics.