PLA Veterans Riot in Three Cities
Voice of America reports that People＇s Liberation Army (PLA) veterans in three cities rioted September 3rd while they were training at railway technical schools. At least twenty people were injured and five were arrested. PLA veterans are having difficulties finding jobs and now have become one of the socially vulnerable groups. [1]
According to Hong Kong based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy, the Chinese Minister of Railways admitted about 6,000 PLA veterans into 12 schools across China for a two-year training program. However, when they arrived at their schools in August, they found out that some schools were in really poor condition. On the afternoon of September 3, over 2,000 PLA veterans in three schools, the Baotou Railway Engineering School, the Baoji Railway Driving School and the Wuhai Railway Driving School, started to riot around the same time. At the Baotou Railway Engineering School, over 1,000 veterans fought with hundreds of policemen. As a result, at least twenty people were injured and five were arrested.
Cai Congguo from Hong Kong-based China Labor Bulletin said that many PLA veterans have difficulties finding jobs when they leave the service. As a result, they experience problems purchasing or renting homes, getting married or paying for their children＇s schools. With discrimination from society and heavy family burdens, many veterans are living a bitter life.
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