Authorities have held the local government and police officials responsible for clashes between Muslims and police that killed six people, People's Daily reported yesterday.
The confrontation took place in Yangxin County in Shandong Province last December 12 when several hundred Hui Muslims traveled to Yangxin by bus and clashed with police barring the way. Six people were killed and 32 injured, 13 of them police officers, The Associated Press reported.
People's Daily reported yesterday that six local officials were held responsible and investigated for criminal proceedings.
The newspaper gave no details on their punishments, but said they included Yangxin's police chief, his deputy and another police official, a local Party leader and two other officials from a nearby county.
Aside from officials who were prosecuted, the newspaper said five other local government and police officials were disciplined. A villager who "instigated and organized the illegal demonstration" also was punished, the newspaper said.
(Eastday.com.cn 08/23/2001)
