On November 18, 2008, an enormous display of civil unrest unfolded in Longnan City in northwestern Gansu Province. Tens of thousands of residents attempted to attack the communist party headquarters in the city and rioted in the streets, setting official vehicles on fire.
The riots were violently quashed by armed police who severely beat and even shot at many of the protesters. Several hundred farmers were wounded, dozens were in critical conditions and several were killed.
Currently, the city is under martial law and public gatherings are banned until November 23.
Apparently the incident was mainly fueled by resident’s anger over information that had emerged of authorities’ plan to move the entire city to another province.
