At least 13 injured in SW China dragon dance rows

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-09 15:21

DEJIANG, Guizhou -- Three police officers and more than ten civilians were injured during a protest against government restrictions of a traditional dragon dance in southwest China, police said Monday.

Dejiang County party chief Yang Pin said the local government had banned the dragon dance in the downtown area for safety concerns. Dancers were only allowed to perform in the suburbs.

Dozens of dragon dancers, whose rehearsals were stopped Sunday, went to the county government complex and clashed with police and government employees when they tried to perform the dance in protest, said officials of the local public security bureau.

A crowd of more than 2,000 people were drawn to the scene. The protest turned violent when police tried to stop the dance. Three police officers and more than ten civilians were injured. Xinhua is working on getting an exact number.

Three people were in the hospital as of Monday morning.

The dragon dance is an important part of celebrating the Lantern Festival which falls on Monday.