In China, Watermelon Vendor’s Violent Death Jails 6, People Clamor for Removal of Chengguan

Six urban management officers known as "chengguan" in China were jailed over the weekend following the brutal, violent killing of a watermelon vendor on Wednesday last week. The chengguan's two supervisors were likewise fired from their posts.

Also over the weekend, the family of 56-year-old farmer Deng Zhengjia has received a 897,000 yuan worth ($146,208) compensation from the local government. Mr Deng was from Liantang Village, Nanqiang Township of Linwu.

Established in 1997, the chengguan, often accused of beating people who commit minor infractions, are responsible for enforcing non-criminal city codes, covering issues as street vending, noise control, sanitation and parking. They, however, have no legal authority to use force. Their presence and so-called disciplinary tactics had in the past triggered riots and provoked public discontent against the entire Chinese government. Many want them disbanded.

Last week's brutal killing of Mr Deng all the more highlighted this.

State media Xinhua News reported the imprisonment of the six chengguan as well as the dismissal from the post of their party chief and a deputy party chief.

"The public expect to know the truth of the incident and to have the case properly handled, but they also are calling for reflection on what is the root of violent enforcement," Xinhua said in a Friday editorial. "Let's hope the tragedy of a watermelon grower's death can be the end of violent enforcement by chengguan."

The tension between the chengguan and Mr Deng ensued when the latter and his wife tried to sell watermelons at a riverside scenic spot. However, peddling wares at that spot has been strictly prohibited by the urban management officers.

Possibly to instill fear and discipline, Mr Deng was struck by weights from a set of scales. Initial investigation and autopsy reports showed intracranial injury and soft issue contusions on Mr Deng's body.