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Authorities Raze Villagers'
Homes Without Warning
Li Xi
Epoch
Times
Wednesday November 7, 2007
Without warning, local authorities dispatched hundreds to demolish
villagers' homes in Wenshan County, Yunnan Province on October
27. Police beat villagers who resisted. More than ten villagers
were injured and admitted to the hospital, while approximately
20 were held in a detention center.
Most of the injured are elderly people between 70 and 80 years
old. Some had arms and legs broken, while others sustained broken
ribs and some needed surgery. Villagers needing surgery were expected
to pay in advance, otherwise no operation would ensue.
According to some eyewitness accounts, the government sent 400
to 500 people to forcibly demolish villagers' homes. It did so
without legal basis, without notice, or by any agreement with
the villagers.
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"There were 16 families living in the village. Ten were
forced to move, but the other six refused to concede. As a result,
more than ten villagers from the six families were doused by fire
hoses or beaten with electronic batons. All were seriously injured
and sent to the hospital," a person from a neighboring village
told the Epoch Times reporter.
Victims Charged with Assaulting Police
"Because the villagers did not agree with the land acquisition,
they resisted but were charged with assaulting the police. Eighteen
people were arrested and are being held in a detention center.
Their specific circumstances were unknown." said another
villager surnamed Gao.
Business as Usual
"The government officials found a developer to build commercial
buildings without consulting with the villagers. The land was
expropriated and financial compensation was set by the officials
with no room for negotiations. Villagers cannot afford to buy
the buildings that the developer will build." Gao said.
There are claims that the government expropriated 130 mu (approximately
21.32 acres) in 2005. The compensation was 56,000 yuan (approximately
US$ 6,763) per mu. In 2006, it expropriated 532 mu (approximately
87.25 acres), and the compensation was 62,600 yuan (approximately
US$ 7,560.40) per mu. Because compensation was so low, the villagers
were trying to negotiate a higher price but were refused.
As an aside, no government officials have gone to the hospital
to visit the injured, nor have they explained their actions. The
detained villagers' situation is unknown.
Locals' complained, "This is what bandits would do!"
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INFOWARS:
BECAUSE THERE'S A WAR ON FOR YOUR MIND
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