Clashes between protesters and police intensify as allegations of a cover-up surround a student’s death in Pucheng.
Beijing [China], January 12: Violent protests broke out in China’s Shaanxi province following the death of a teenage student under suspicious circumstances, CNN reported on Saturday. Accusations of a cover-up by local authorities have fueled public anger, leading to clashes between demonstrators and riot police.
Clashes Outside Pucheng Vocational Technical School
Verified videos from Pucheng Vocational Technical School show chaotic scenes, with protesters throwing batons and objects at riot police. Some demonstrators were seen breaking a glass door with a fire extinguisher. In retaliation, police officers aggressively confronted the crowd, using force to subdue the protesters, including beating and throwing some individuals to the ground.
The protests erupted after the death of a third-year student, identified by his surname Dang, on January 2. Local authorities initially ruled Dang’s death as an accident, but social media posts and activist reports suggest otherwise, raising suspicions of foul play.
Official Account vs. Allegations
According to state media, Dang was involved in a physical and verbal altercation with a first-year student, Guo, earlier that day. The situation was reportedly resolved by a school official. Later that evening, Dang was found to have fallen from a dormitory window, with a wooden stool and an open sliding window suggesting he may have climbed out.
However, Human Rights in China, a US-based activist group, reported “suspicious circumstances” surrounding the death. Witnesses claim signs of a struggle were evident in Dang’s dormitory, and some allege he may have been pushed from the roof.
Escalation of Protests
Protests began on January 8 and may have continued throughout the week. The demonstrations highlight growing public distrust of local authorities in handling the incident transparently.
A Call for Justice
The incident has sparked nationwide attention on social media, with many netizens calling for an independent investigation. Human rights advocates have urged the Chinese government to address the allegations of a cover-up and ensure justice for Dang.
As the unrest unfolds, questions remain about the transparency and accountability of local authorities in handling sensitive incidents, with this case shedding light on broader concerns about human rights and governance in China.