Hundreds of residents in the southern Chinese city of Maoming clashed with riot police on March 17 and 19, after protesting the construction of a cremation facility near their community, according to residents and videos from the scene.
The unrest unfolded over three consecutive days, with the authorities deploying large numbers of officers equipped with batons and shields to disperse demonstrators, resulting in injuries and arrests, according to residents who spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity or only publishing their surnames out of fear of reprisal.
The protests were triggered by a notice issued by local authorities on March 16 announcing plans for the new cremation funeral facility. Officials said the project would be built on suburban land with no population within a 500-meter (approximately 1640 ft) radius and would cost about 145 million yuan (US$20 million). Construction was scheduled from March through December….
Hundreds Clash With Police in Southern China Over Cremation Facility Project
