Property dispute turns violent in Shenzhen

Beijing, , May. 21 (UPI) -- Chinese media released limited information Friday about a property dispute outside the city of Shenzhen that turned violent earlier this week.

At least 21 police officers and an unknown number of protestors were injured Wednesday in Shenzhen's Bao'an District when 400 lawmen attempted to raze a shantytown where 3,000 peasants grow produce and breed livestock.

The official Chinese news agency Xinhua ran a photo showing police taking cover next to an overturned car and protecting themselves with riot shields as they were pelted with bricks and stones. One township official was held hostage but later released.

A report from the Shenzhen Daily Thursday said the squatters' camp was responsible for contaminating part of the southern Chinese city's water supply.

Residents thwarted several attempts by authorities to demolish what was termed 'illegal buildings' before May 14. According to Shenzhen sources, residents were asking for government compensation of 100 million yuan ($12 million).