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Chinese authorities sealed off the township of Yesanguan on May 28 to block out media and supporters of Deng Yujiao, a local waitress who stabbed to death a regime official who sexually assaulted her. The town seems to be under martial law though no formal announcement has been made.

As Ms. Deng’s case fomented heated discussions, the previously unheard-of little town in Hubei Province of central China has become a focal point for many who are upset over how the case is being handled.

Chinese people, with the aid of Internet, have voiced unanimous support for the waitress and furious criticism of corrupt officials. Many had entered Yesanguan town for information or to show support for Ms. Deng—who is under house arrest after being temporarily kept in a mental hospital, then jail.

On Thursday, Yesanguan officials began to expel non-residents by force. More than 3,000 armed police and large numbers of plainclothes police have taken control of the town, shutting down airports and piers, monitoring land traffic, and closing stores, hotels, and Internet cafes. TV and radio broadcasting has been suspended, and the Internet disabled.

Ships from Yichang City to Badong are not allowed to berth at Badong. Flights from Yichang City to Badong are cut for the first time since the Sino-Japanese war (1937-1945).

Media reporters said they received orders on May 26 to leave the town immediately, and all reports on the case are now banned. Some reporters were beaten by local officials.

Ms. Zhou Li, a human rights activist from Beijing, and her team of five were taken by police car to nearby Yichang by Mr. Tang, the head of the local police station. They were under strict instructions not to stay in Badong County.

Ms. Zhou told an Epoch Times reporter that the local communist party officials were spreading rumors to inspire fear and hatred among residents, saying the visitors to the township are Falun Gong practitioners or terrorists.

Ms. Zhou said local residents now refuse to provide lodging to outsiders, and the police have ordered attacks on some visitors.

“The entire Yesanguan town has no place for us to stay,” she said. “Yesterday [May 27], they cut the water supply. We can only use mineral water to wash our faces.”

Local residents are also under tight control. Residents said that the authorities ordered local officials to monitor all hotels in the town by giving a bonus of 200 Yuan per day. Half the nurses in a local hospital were sent to monitor schools. A school teacher was arrested for talking in her class about Ms. Deng’s case and criticizing corruption.

Ms. Deng's family members are all under surveillance and several have been arrested.

Recent information reveals that the victim and another official who attempted to rape Deng Yujiao both have strong connections to the higher ranks of the Chinese Communist Party.

Read the original article in Chinese: http://epochtimes.com/gb/9/5/28/n2541035.htm