Beijing armed and ready to block protests
Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) A huge deployment of police units stands "ready and alert" in Beijing as the National People's Congress (NPC) gets underway.
As is usual, many Chinese citizens from all over the country will attempt to organize demonstrations against injustices in their country, such as mass unemployment, unpaid salaries, forced demolition of homes and corrupt politicians.
Citizens with red bands tied around their arms will preside over meetings at the Great People's Assembly building, where NPC sessions take place annually.
Meanwhile just outside the meeting hall police officers are lined up with anti-bomb sniffer dogs and additional police units have been called in to invigilate almost every bus stop. Extra precautions have also been taken to guarantee security to the 3000 government representatives staying in over a dozen city hotels.
There is also increased vigilance of the Falun Gong sect. Reporters Without Borders has said that some internet chat-rooms were closed before the national assembly of leaders got started.
According to Human Rights in China, police have taken repressive measures to block the protests of more than 200 activists. Persons who are believed to be "dangerous" have been given set hours to go to work, shop and do other activities. For travelers coming and going from the capital, it is forbidden to alter their originally arranged itinerary.
Jia Jianying, the wife of He Depu (a pro-democracy activist now in prison) was warned not to leave her home during NPC meetings and to limit her activities to work hours, as she was commanded to do so "on orders from the top". If she does otherwise, she is told she "will suffer the consequences".
Li Shanna, wife of Xu Yonghai, a jailed Protestant activist, is escorted by police and her work supervisor has urged her not to leave home except to go to work.
Until Feb. 24 pro-democracy activist, Jia Qisheng, was placed under 24-hour surveillance by several undercover police officers.
Hua Huiqi, a Christian human rights activist, has been forced to go outside only when accompanied by a police squad car, protecting him as he leaves his house.
Moreover the 44 year-old Liu Jun is checked on by police day and night. Liu Jin was left paralyzed from the waist down after attempting to save his home from being demolished in Beijing. "It's incredible," he said. "Twelve police officers are needed to keep watch over and handicapped man. The government says it guarantees human rights. We, on the other hand, don't even have the right to survive." (MR)
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