Forced Eviction & Demolition/Land Expropriation
Hunan Man Crushed to Death by Construction Vehicle, Authorities Block News
A Hunan villager was crushed under a construction vehicle while desperately protesting a land seizure and home demolition project done to construct a highway, and officials moved aggressively to control the scene of the incident, placate the victim's family, and intimidate local residents. The villager, He Zhihua (何志华), had petitioned authorities after learning that his property in Changsha City was slated for government takeover and finding the compensation offered unfair. On September 16, He angrily confronted an official at the project site and lay down on the ground to halt construction. But the official reportedly ordered the work to continue, and a road leveling machine moved forward and ran over him. Authorities moved quickly to try to pay off He's family and also to prevent news of the incident from spreading by having cell phones confiscated at the scene. The next day, hundreds of security personnel surrounded the area, with some removing the victim's remains and beating villagers who tried to interfere.
from CHRD
