Society

Most deaths in SW China's mob fight bear gun wounds: police

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-04 10:00

KUNMING -?The bodies of most fatalities in last month's mob fight in southwest China's Yunnan Province were found to suffer from gun wounds, while four dozen others were wounded by shrapnel from bombs, local police said Friday.

A dispute over mining rights turned into a mob fight on November 18 in Yunnan's Luxi County. About 120 people, wielding steel pipes and knives, were ambushed near Xiaosongdi coal mine as their opponents set off explosives and opened fire with guns. Nine people were killed and 48 injured.

Wang Jianfu, the owner of the coal mine, was said to have engineered the ambush while Wang Feiyun, an electricity technician and Wang's other subordinates carried out the attack, a police investigation found.

Initial findings reveal seven bodies bear gun wounds, police said, adding that they have detained six suspects -- including the Wangs -- and confiscated one hunting rifle and a pistol from the scene.

China bans private ownership of guns. Police in Yunnan said they were probing the source of the fire arms involved in the mob fight.

Zheng Chunyun, whose alleged hired thugs were ambushed by Wang's men, is the owner of a nearby coal mine and had been fighting for the right to exploit Xiaosongdi mine.