Protesters' land vigil continues in Shangpu, Guangdong

Villagers were locked in a tense stand-off with police yesterday after angry protests over land rights.

Residents of Shangpu, in Guangdong province, have occupied the village square since last Friday amid claims that corrupt officials were selling local land, the US-based Radio Free Asia website reported.

Hired thugs employed by local officials attempted to remove the protesters on Sunday, but were repelled in angry scenes which saw 30 cars being smashed, RFA said.

Police arrived to clear the square and became caught up in the clash, it added.

Six people were arrested, said the website of the local Jiexi county government. Authorities have since called on the protesters to clear the square.

Residents said demonstrators continued to occupy the square, in a protest echoing a dispute in nearby Wukan , which became a symbol of resistance against corruption last year.

A resident said: "Right now, both sides are in a stalemate, but there is no more fighting. Police have blocked roads to keep other people away."

Another villager confirmed the road blockage and said 10 or more people had "suffered serious injuries" since the tensions started. He said officials blamed the residents for the troubles.