1,000 protesters storm Chinese government building

A crowd of 1,000 people stormed a local Communist Party headquarters in northwest China, smashing cars and clashing with police following a land dispute, government officials said Tuesday.

At least 60 people - officials, police, and protesters - were injured in the riots, according to a statement on the government Web site of Longnan city, where the unrest occurred.

The protest initially began with just a small group of people complaining about the demolition of teir homes to make way for a new road in Longnan in Gansu province, according to an official from the local Communist Party surnamed Wang.

But by nightfall, the crowd swelled to a many as 1,000 as more people joined the demonstration, the city's statement said.

"Instigated by a small number of people with ulterior motives, some unlawful people started to storm the city government building and attacked government officials from the petitioning office," it said.

Protesters attcked police and officials with stones, steel pipes and bricks. They also set fire to motorcycles, bicycles and buildings, according to the statement.

After attempting to calm the crowd, police "had no option but to disperse the unlawful elements with force," it said.

By early Tuesday morning, the sitation was "under control," said Wang, who like many Chinese officials would give only his surname.

Protests are common in China over land seizures and corrupt officials. Local government officials often confiscate land for infrastructure and housing projects, with little or no compensation.
The Associated Press , Beijing | Tue, 11/18/2008 3:30 PM | World