The flaws of justice on the mainland have long been driving those with unresolved grievances to desperate measures. Of late, though, the desperation has been pushing people in a disturbing direction.

Some mainland airports have ramped up security checks after a home-made bomb was set off at Beijing Capital International Airport at the weekend, but the government denied that the new measures were linked to the small blast.

"My brother was so miserable with his injustices, and now, we don't know where he is and what he was arrested for," Ji Zhongji, elder brother of bomber Ji Zhongxing, told the Post yesterday.

A woman was killed and three people, including a 2-1/2-year-old boy, were hurt in another indiscriminate attack in Beijing yesterday amid rising concerns over public safety on the mainland.

Security officials in the Guangdong city of Dongguan have been ordered to reopen the case into an alleged beating eight years ago that paralysed a motorcycle taxi driver who set off a home-made bomb in protest at Beijing's airport on Saturday.

Messages of support posted online came after reports said 34-year old Ji Zhongxing was driven to the act by a years-long battle for justice after being severely beaten by police.

A petitioner in a wheelchair set off a home-made bomb near the international arrivals gate at Beijing Capital International Airport yesterday evening, raising security concerns at one of the world's busiest airports.