Journalists Wounded & Robbed, Cars Damaged: Mine Accidents Covered up in Shanxi Province

At around 8 pm. on June 4, (Yaerya town in the southern suburb of Datong City, Shanxi Province) journalists from Beijng Cyber News were attacked by a group of guards, at the entrance to a coal mine called Tanyaoguo, with their equipments and cash robbed. Their car was damaged too. One of the journalists was badly wounded and sent to hospital, ankle broken, and bloodshed in eyes. The outrage lasted for about half an hour. The driver was also a victim, and one journalist was nearly left behind in the wild of mountain. It has been another tragedy since Jan.9, 2007 when Lan Chengzhang - a journalist from Shanxi Branch of China Trade News was beaten to death during the coverage of an illegal coal mine in Datong, Shanxi Province.  

Led by the local villagers, the journalists reported the case to Yaerya Police Station, but they were told to turn to Weijiagou Police Station in charge of the area, where they were surprised to find that journalists from other five media organizations had the same story as being beaten up at the same time and place, and 3 cars destroyed. Hearing the news, vice editor in chief Li Jiangtao as well as two representatives came to Weijiagou Police Station to see what's going on. At first, Li Rongqing, an instructor, refused to receive them. On the request of the vice chief editor, police began to make inquiries. However, the police didn't show their ID while a policewoman numbered 022269 later identified as deputy supervisor of the station tried to check whether the journalists held Reporters Certificate issued by the authorities.  

They were questioned about the press which was irrelevant to the incident for about 2 hours.  

The journalists turned to the local government officials for help, but the request was declined.  

The journalists from Cyber News came to investigate the harassment experienced by reporters from other media. Journalists were attacked when victim's family members presented them a copy of an agreement about death compensation between the miners' family and Tanyaoguo Coal Mine. It is also reported that one casualty occurred on Feb. 20 and the other two in May. The truth was to be found out by the journalists.

This is a brief translation by CFP, full context in Chinese:

http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2008/06/200806150259.shtml

Original report is from www.315wqchina.com (this site has been shutdown for a few times)