2009 top ten news
Top 10 real estate debacles 2009
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-12-21 06:00
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2. Desperate woman burns herself from demolition
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 Tang Fuzhen is seen setting fire to herself in this TV screen grab. |
Tang Fuzhen, one of the owners of a garment processing plant, ignited herself on fire to stop the local government's forcible demolition of her private building in Chengdu, Sichuan province.
The 2,000 sq m three-floor garment processing plant was built by Hu Changming, Tang's ex-husband, on the land he rented in 1996 with 40,000 yuan ($5,882).
In August 2007, the district government decided to link two roads and lay underground pipes in the area and needed the land occupied by Hu's building for the project. It was said that Hu was seeking compensation of more than 8 million yuan ($1.17 million) but the city was not prepared to pay that much.
The district's urban management and law enforcement bureau sat down to talk about compensation with Hu on 19 occasions but no agreement was reached.
When the city moved to forcibly take possession of the building and demolish it on November 13, Tang, 47, was desperate, pouring gasoline on her body and burning herself. She died on Nov 29.
Related readings:
Furor over suicide from demolition
Fiery rooftop suicide leads to suspension of senior official
Tragedy reignites debate on forced demolitions
Scholars bid government to abolish housing law
Demolition regulation 'contradicts the law'
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 Tang Fuzhen is carried down from the roof and taken to hospital where she subsequently succumbed to her injuries in this TV screen grab. |
