Police probe alleged assault on protesting teachers

Authorities are investigating a claim that policemen assaulted several teachers in East China’s Anhui Province as the teachers sought unpaid salaries in front of the local government building.

Photos and video, their authenticity yet to be verified, emerged online soon after the incident. They show people, believed to be the teachers, being assaulted and handcuffed. This sparked heated online discussions over excessive use of force in law enforcement and the teachers’ difficult circumstances.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the local police on Sina Weibo, more than 40 teachers from schools in Jin’an and Yu’an districts in Lu’an, Anhui Province gathered on Sunday morning in front of the city government building, seeking unpaid wages.

A few of them were taken away by police from the site for disturbing public order.

The police are further investigating reports of police brutality during the operations. They are asking for eyewitnesses to come forward and testify, and vowed to seriously deal with the incident in accordance with the law, the statement said.

Apart from the police, an official from the Lu’an Bureau of Education told the Global Times on Monday that they are also looking into the case.

Appealing to authorities for help en masse is considered inappropriate in China, and there could have been a better way to resolve the issue, Zhu Xiaoding, a Beijing-based lawyer, told the Global Times on Monday.

“The government should have come forward. They should hear the teachers’ appeal and see if it is reasonable,” Zhu said.

According to the article 35 of the Teacher’s Law, no one is allowed to insult or assault a teacher.

“It just hurts to see teachers being treated like this… It is they who are raising the next generation,” said a Sina Weibo user, who claims to be a student.

“The authorities should also explain the unpaid salaries,” commented another Weibo user, who asked the local education bureau to take responsibility.

The findings of the investigation will be made public as soon as possible, according to the police statement.