Injured While Defending a Temple

Zhejiang Province authorities demolished a temple in Ningbo city in late August, violently beating protesting believers.

The Buddhist temple in Ningbo city after the demolition

Officials in China’s eastern province of Zhejiang had been trying to demolish a Buddhist temple in Ningbo city since 2016. They wanted to expand a hydroelectric power station nearby, and the temple’s land was needed for this purpose.

The temple in Ningbo city before the demolition. — The temple in Ningbo city before the demolition

However, the believers were strictly opposed to the idea and would not let the authorities destroy their temple. But on August 24 this year, local police officers showed up at the temple with nearly 40 hired hands, seeking to demolish the temple.

The police guard the temple and forbid believers from approaching. — The police guard the temple and forbid believers from approaching

When they began to remove the Buddha statues, one believer tried to ask the police officers about the legality of their actions. Instead, he was surrounded by six officers and later, pinned to the ground.

Another believer tried to block the officers too but was similarly handled, her arms twisted behind her back. She felt suffocated and soon lost her consciousness. She had to be taken to a hospital to help her recuperate.

Video 1: A believer falls unconscious after being violently attacked.

While the demolition work was called off that day, the local government officials returned to the site four days later. This time, they had mobilized over 100 people. Police guards were also posted at intersections leading to the temple, in order to stop the believers from reaching the site. The statues were soon removed and the temple razed to the ground.

Video 2: The temple is being demolished.