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dam-l Singtao Daily July 16, 2000 Thousands of villagers in conflict with police over water scarcity





Singtao Daily, 2000/7/16

According to the Information Center on Human Rights & Democratic Movement in
China (http://www.89-64.com/), on July 6, over 5,000 villagers were involved in a bloody
conflict with 300 police in Anqiu city of Shangdong province, over the water
resources in Moushan Reservoir.  The local authority planned to fill holes in the dam, 
but such work makes villagers worry about the possible loss of water resources
in the future. One policeman has been reported dead, and over 100 villagers have 
been injured.  It is estimated that some villagers will be charged and sentenced for the 
death of the policeman.  

In addition, since the serious drought happened this year, and about 200 million
acres of farmland and 14 million villagers are affected, similar conflicts can be 
expected to take place in the future.

The public relations department of the Anqiu city government has confirmed this news, 
claiming 1,000 villagers were involved.  

Officials told the reporter that the Moushan Reservoir was built in the 1960s, and is the 
largest reservoir in Shangdong province.  After inspection by the Ministry of Water 
Resources, it was announced that the Moushan reservoir has leaks that must be 
repaired to insure the safety of those living downstream.  

Villagers around the dam have used the leaked water for irrigation and drinking water 
for a long time, and are worried that repairs on the dam will result in the loss of water 
resources.  While the water supply authority has promised to supply water after the 
repairs are made, the villagers are not satisfied with this response. 



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Doris Shen
China Program Coordinator
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley CA 94703
t  510.848.1155
f  510.848.1008

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