Anger in China grows along with questions over death of teenager
Deadly fall of a high school pupil in Sichuan province has turned into a national controversy over how authorities handle public concerns
The mysterious death of a high school pupil in a remote part of the southwestern mainland has turned into a national controversy, with even state media criticising local officials for their handling of public concerns.
The furore over the death of 14-year old Zhao Xin, in Lu county in Sichuan province, has also led to media commentary on deep public distrust of the authorities.
Zhao’s body was found near Taifu Middle School dormitory on Saturday. Videos of grieving relatives surrounding his bruised body were soon circulating on social media, along with messages said to be from the boy’s parents.
According to those messages and local media reports, Zhao’s parents suspect their son was beaten to death after failing to pay a protection fee to sons of local officials or other school bullies. Police said the boy fell from the fifth floor of the dormitory, and ruled out the possibility of murder.
In the days that followed Zhao’s death, disgruntled crowds started gathering outside the school demanding an explanation from authorities. They were met by police in riot gear.