Residents in Changling Town, Guangshui, Hubei Province, have been protesting against the local government’s forced selling of grave sites, sparking outrage among the community. According to local reports, the authorities in Changling Town have been pushing residents to purchase cemetery plots, even implementing a new policy that prohibits spouses from being buried together if one has already been buried before the policy took effect, causing distress among families who had made burial arrangements in advance.
Beginning on May 1st, a large number of residents in Changling Town took to the streets for three consecutive days to protest the forced sale of cemetery plots, resulting in a blockade of National Highway 316. Law enforcement authorities intervened with a significant deployment of police officers and special forces, but faced resistance from the local residents who prevented the arrest of a young man.
Videos of the protests started circulating online on May 5th, drawing further attention to the issue.
Local journalists have reached out to several residents in Changling Town, with some confirming the reports, citing the presence of suitable burial sites on their own properties. The controversy stems from a government notice issued on January 4th, mandating that all residents in the region must undergo cremation with their ashes either interred in a public cemetery or stored at designated facilities. The policy strictly prohibits traditional burial practices and private arrangements for burials.
The escalating situation has not only sparked public protests but has also garnered widespread attention on social media platforms. Netizens have criticized the authorities for what they perceive as a coercive practice of profiting from death, labeling it as a form of “real estate for the deceased.”
Critics argue that the region, consisting mainly of sparsely populated mountainous areas, offers ample space for burial without encroaching on arable land. Some legal experts and online personalities have condemned the government’s actions, emphasizing the need to halt such oppressive policies that burden the populace economically and go against cultural traditions.
As the controversy persists, attempts to reach the local authorities for comments have been unfruitful. Reporters have been unable to establish contact with the administrators involved in the implementation of the cemetery policy, leaving many questions unanswered and concerns unresolved. The residents of Changling Town remain vigilant, awaiting a resolution to the contentious issue and hoping for a transparent disclosure of the government’s plans moving forward.
On May 5th, reporters from Dajiyuan Daily attempted to contact the Changling Town Funeral Reform Office and the Guangshui City Funeral Reform Office, but calls went unanswered. An official from the Comprehensive Office of the Party and Government of Changling Town informed the reporters that they are working on addressing the existing problems and assured that information will be made public once the issues are resolved. When reporters reached out to the Hubei Provincial Civil Affairs Department, officials stated that they were aware of the situation since May 1st and are currently dealing with it, although specific details on the course of action were not disclosed.