Police moved Tuesday to end protests in Wukan village, in China’s southeastern Guangdong province, over the conviction and imprisonment of its elected village chief, reports the BBC.
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One person in touch with relatives in Wukan told Reuters between 300-400 police were involved in the raids, and many villagers were injured.
Authorities appear to have the village on lockdown.
The footage, which can not be independently verified, also showed dozens of police under riot shields as protesters threw bricks and bottles.
“Riot police are stationed at the entrance to our village”. Videos posted on social media show one person with blood on his arm and chest, and another being treated for an apparent bullet wound on his hand. After the protests, the village was permitted to elect its own leader.
Wukan made global headlines in 2011 after a massive uprising by residents against corrupt former village leaders and illegal land-grabs.
Police, who entered the southern village overnight and raided homes, confirmed 13 people have been arrested.
The victor of that election was Lin Zuluan, a former protest leader.
The RTHK footage also showed villages throwing rocks at huddled ranks of police equipped with riot shields.
The official microblog of Lufeng county police, who oversee Wukan, stated in a post on Tuesday the 13 people arrested had been organising illegal assemblies and used threats to force villagers to join since June 19, a day after Lin was detained.
“I can’t see any hope in this”.
Lin’s supporters say his arrest was politically motivated, and have been holding rallies in the village over the last 80 days. “Police have therefore arrested the 13 according to law, in an effort to safeguard the interest of the masses and restore order”, local police said in a statement published online.
After the confession aired, thousands of Lin’s supporters marched to a local government office to seek his release, carrying banner with their signatures and fingerprints.
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State news media reported Lin was accused of taking bribes totaling 593,000 yuan (about $89,000) to “influence livelihood and economic projects” in Wukan, and he gave a televised statement admitting to the allegations.
