Forty-seven-year-old migrant worker Zhou Xiuyun from Zhoukou in Central China's Henan province died in a police station in Taiyuan of North China's Shanxi province after being allegedly beaten up by police officers on Dec 13, but public anger continues to simmer as more negative news emerges against the law enforcement officers.

The circulation of a set of photographs on the Internet showing a police officer kicking her head while she is lying on the ground has infuriated people and drawn widespread condemnation. Three police officers have been arrested for suspected abuse of power and their role in the inhuman incident, according to local authorities.

The arrest of police officers and the steps taken by the local government to "settle the issue" - including a thorough investigation into the incident and holding of talks with Zhou's family on compensation - should have placated public anger.

But a leaked tape recording of the compensation negotiation with Zhou's family on which a police officer named Yang Lin is heard saying, "You name a price and let's bargain; let's do it like buying vegetables", has once again enraged the public. "Paying damages to a victim's family is like selling Chinese cabbages to customers ... you quote a higher price and they bargain. Once the two parties believe the price is reasonable, the deal is done," says Yang, who was in charge of the negotiations with Zhou's family.

Yang's attitude has shocked everyone, especially because he compared a human life to a vegetable, and many netizens have lashed out at his nauseating demeanor.