Violent protests in China after student falls to his death

In Pucheng, a city located in north-west China, a tragic incident involving a teenage boy has led to violent protests. The boy, known by his surname Dang, fell to his death from his school dormitory on January 2. This event has sparked outrage among the local community, as many believe that there is more to the story than what the authorities have disclosed. Verified videos circulating on social media depict scenes of chaos, with protesters throwing objects at police officers and law enforcement responding with force. The protests erupted shortly after Dang's death, which the school described as an accident. However, allegations of a cover-up began to spread rapidly online, leading to a series of demonstrations that lasted for several days. The BBC has reported that there have been no further signs of protests in Pucheng since the initial outburst. Public demonstrations are not uncommon in China, but the government has been particularly sensitive to them since the 2022 White Paper protests, which saw rare public criticism of the Chinese Communist Party and President Xi Jinping. One disturbing video shows a protester with blood on his head, highlighting the violence that occurred during these protests. State media in China has remained silent regarding the events in Pucheng, and any mention of the protests has been largely censored from social media platforms. Despite this, several videos have managed to leak out, and the BBC has confirmed their authenticity. When the BBC reached out to the Pucheng government for comment, a representative from the publicity department denied that any protests had taken place. The local authorities released a statement claiming that Dang was a third-year student at the vocational education center and that he had been woken up by other students talking in the dormitory. An argument ensued between him and another student, which was resolved by a school official. Later that night, Dang's body was discovered at the foot of the dormitory building. The authorities described the incident as an accident, stating that the police had conducted an investigation and an autopsy, ruling out any criminal activity. However, many online have questioned this narrative, suggesting that the school and local authorities are concealing the truth. Some accounts, lacking evidence, claim that Dang took his own life due to bullying from the student he had argued with. Unverified statements from his family have circulated, alleging that the injuries on Dang's body did not match the official explanation and that they were not allowed to examine his body for an extended period. These allegations have fueled anger among the residents of Pucheng, leading to protests that attracted hundreds of participants. Bullying has become a sensitive issue in China, with previous cases of student deaths resulting in public outcry. Just last month, a Chinese court handed down lengthy prison sentences to individuals involved in a bullying case. During the protests, videos showed demonstrators throwing objects at police officers who were trying to maintain order. Additional footage confirmed to be from the Pucheng Vocational Education Centre depicted mourners paying their respects to Dang by placing flowers at the school entrance and performing a traditional mourning ritual by throwing paper from the rooftop. Other videos showed young protesters clashing with police, demanding the truth about Dang's death. One verified clip captured a school official being confronted by angry protesters, while other footage displayed the destruction of offices within the school compound. Protesters were seen pushing down barricades at the school entrance, and some were injured, with visible blood on their heads and faces. Although there is limited information on what transpired afterward, reports suggest an increased police presence in Pucheng in recent days, with no further demonstrations reported. Authorities have urged the public not to spread rumors or believe in them, emphasizing the need for calm in the community.