Chinese officials probed after man commits suicide

BEIJING - Eight Chinese officials have been removed from their posts or placed under probe following a property dispute that led an elderly man to commit suicide in eastern China, a media report said Sunday.

The incident took place in Nanchang in China’s Jiangxi province, China Daily reported on its website.

Workers from the construction department visited Zhong Rukui’s house and tried to convince the family to accept the offered compensation so they can demolish the house to make way for construction of a bus station in Fenggang township.

However, Zhong Rukui and two of his relatives - Luo Zhifeng and Ye Zhongcheng - set themselves on fire after an argument Sep 10. They were rushed to a hospital, but Ye, 79, succumbed to his injuries Saturday.

Eight officials, including party chief, head and deputy head of the county government, have been removed from their posts or placed under probe, a spokesman with Fuzhou municipal government said.

Meanwhile the provincial government has ordered all-out efforts to treat the injured residents, the spokesman added.

A 2007 county government plan called for relocation of more than 20 households for construction of the bus station.

Zhong’s family was not satisfied with the offered compensation of about 400,000 yuan ($59,000) and refused to move out.