Another random act of violence over the weekend in central China raises concerns over unresolved land disputes, along with social alienation compounded by the country’s economic crisis.

Editor: Yan Qing Web Editor: Wu Xixi | Published by Radio Free Asia

On the morning of July 27, a car crashed into pedestrians at Yuehu Market in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, causing serious casualties. According to a Central News Agency report, local residents said it was a deliberate crash caused by a dispute over housing demolition, and the authorities tried to suppress the news afterwards. According to a report by Changsha police that afternoon, the incident caused eight deaths and five injuries.

The Kaifu Branch of the Changsha Public Security Bureau issued a police report on the afternoon of the 27th, saying that at about 0:10 am on July 27, a “motor vehicle hit people” case had occurred on Zhouqiao Road, Yuehu Street, Kaifu District. The injured were immediately sent to hospital for treatment. At present, eight people are reported to have died after rescue efforts failed, two remain seriously injured, and three slightly injured. The suspect Su Moumou (male, 55 years of age, and a resident of Yuehu Street) has been controlled by the public security organs, as authorities continue to investigate.

The X user “Mr. Li is not your teacher” released a video and screenshots that claim to have been recorded on the morning of July 27 that show a car hitting pedestrians at Yuehu Market in Changsha, Hunan. According to insiders, the cause of the attack was related to a demolition dispute, and many people were killed and injured at the scene. The family members of the victims also said the government had blocked news of the incident, and the community had urged them to send the bodies to a funeral home.

The Central News Agency reported an online video showed local police blocking the crime scene on July 27 and prohibiting people from gathering.

According to information on Chinese social media platforms, local residents said the incident had caused eight deaths on the spot, including two police officers. A number of netizens point to longstanding, unresolved demolition disputes in the area, which has resulted in some residents being unable to receive reasonable land compensation so far.

[According to a previous report by Radio Free Asia] random assaults have become more frequent recently in China. The economic downturn and high unemployment may have contributed to the wave of crimes. Some researchers point out that under the Communist Party’s social control, “many people have become increasingly isolated” and independent individuals are more likely to resort to random violence to express anger and alienation. Coupled with the economic downturn in recent years, the economic crisis has made life difficult and caused dissatisfaction.

For the original version of this report, see the publisher’s website here

Related Reading

Japanese mother and son attacked in Suzhou