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Farmers sue county for illegal land use
By Wang Zhenghua (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-30 06:12
But Wang, who took the case along with another lawyer, said the county
government demolished the farmers' houses through coercive measures without
compensation.
"Each farmer has a certificate to prove the land is owned collectively," Wang
said yesterday in a telephone interview.
Worse, the government did not even keep its promise that it would compensate
the farmers .
"As a result, these homeless rural workers have to seek shelter in their
relatives' houses or elsewhere," Wang said.
"Only a few resettled families, who have special relations with the
government, have moved into new houses."
He also said some victims had been afraid of accusing the government,
especially those who have family members working as county civil servants.
In recent years, nevertheless, some wrote petition letters to relevant
departments, and others visited the General Office of the State Council in
Beijing.
"These peaceful farmers are now outraged," Wang said.
He said that to obtain the evidence, he pretended to purchase a house from
the developer of the residential buildings.
But Wang said the developer has yet to obtain the proper certificate to use
the land, and there are other loopholes in its use.
The lawyer for the local government could not be reached for comment.
According to local media reports, the local land procurement and relocation
office said it had reached agreements with each family and, in addition, the
suit has exceeded its statutes.
However Wang said the government has persisted in violating farmers' legal
rights.
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