Car blaze trio caught up in housing dispute

By Lei Xiaoxun (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-07 09:55

The three people who set themselves on fire on Feb 25 in a car in Beijing were petitioners from Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, said Li Zhi, the city's Party secretary on Friday.

They resorted to the extreme act because their unjustified demands in a housing dispute had not been met, Li said.

The three are now out of danger and receiving medical treatment at Urumqi Friendship Hospital, he added.

"Such an extreme act was the last thing we wanted to see. We are deeply saddened by this," said Nur Bekri, chairman of Xinjiang.

Maimaiti Wushouer, 59, suffered from severe burns to his respiratory tract as a result of the fumes he inhaled, while his wife burned her fingers.

In 2002, Urumqi municipal government decided to build schools in the area where Maimaiti's house is located.

After negotiations, the local government compensated Maimaiti's family with a 70 sq m apartment and a payment of 400,000 yuan (US$58,500). The government also offered a 60 sq m apartment to his disabled daughter and 10,000 yuan to help cover her medical expenses.

In addition, the municipal government offered Maimaiti's son a job, but he turned it down.

But the family demanded more compensation and jobs for all family members.

After their demand was turned down, the couple and their son drove to Beijing and set themselves on fire inside their car at the southern end of Wangfujing Street.

"Although the family's request was unjustified and unreasonable, considering the family's condition, we will ensure their living expenses are met in accordance with the basic standard of living in the city," Li said.