Mongolian ‘Maidan’ in China ends in bloody crackdown

The crackdown on demonstrators occurred on April 5, Joinfo.ua reports with reference to the Information Center for Human Rights in Southern Mongolia (SMHRIC) based in the New York City.

2,000 police officers arrived to suppress the mass demonstrations of the villagers from Daachin-tal and nearby villages of the Naiman County, although only about a thousand protesters came to the streets. Law enforcement officers used rubber bullets, water cannons, and tear gas against the protesters.

The locals have started large-scale protests three weeks ago, opposing a chemical plant polluting the region with toxic emissions. Farmers complained to human rights defenders, that toxic waste were ruining their farmland, making vegetables and cereals inedible, poisoning grazing livestock and directly affecting the health of citizens.

During the suppression of the rebellion, the authorities disconnected the Internet in the region and blocked the telephone communications for some time. To avoid further unrest, the authorities ordered to arrest anyone, who will continue to rebel.