Thousands protest probe into teacher's death in China: report

HONG KONG, Sept. 8 Kyodo

Thousands of people, including high-school students, protested against what they claim was a botched investigation into a teacher's apparent suicide in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao reported Friday.

The protesters rejected the conclusion that Dai Haijing, 30, had fallen off from her residence on fifth floor to her death in August.

Many believed Dai's husband, a prominent businessman surnamed Xie, was involved in her death, the paper said.

It said the protest turned into a riot when police tried to disperse the protesters.

The protesters accused the government of colluding with Xie and ''mishandling human lives,'' petitioning the government to reinvestigate Dai's death.

Police clashed with protesters on Wednesday, firing tear gas, dispersing the crowd with batons and arresting at least dozen people.

Thousands regrouped Thursday and gathered at the government office, the report said.

Hundreds of riot police stood by but did not take strong action.

The protesters then went to Xie's factory where property was said damaged.

The province's state-run news website said Friday that the investigation concluded Dai was unlikely to have been pushed from her residence. It also concluded that while a bruise on her thigh was made before her death, other bruises were likely caused by the plunge and that she was alive before the fall.

Other media revealed in August the contents of Dai's diary in which she said Xie had physically abused her and that she was suffering from depression.

Government officials in Ruian where the school is located could not be reached for comment.

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