Officials disciplined over suicide attempts of petitioners

Seven petitioners lying on the ground, with bottles suspected to contain pesticide. Photo taken on the morning of July 16, 2014. [Photo: China Youth Daily]

The State Bureau for Letters and Calls has announced that officials from Sihong county in Jiangsu province will face disciplinary action for "irregularities" during the county's redevelopment campaign in 2013, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.

The news comes after seven petitioners attempted suicide by drinking poison outside the office of the China Youth Daily newspaper on July 16 to voice their dissatisfaction towards land dispute.

Authorities confirm that the relevant officials of Sihong county violated development regulations and 14 officers of the county, including the county's party chief and deputy head, face punishment.

The seven petitioners called on Sihong county government to address the disproportionate compensation being given in exchange for farmland during the region's development push last year. The grievances of the petitioners escalated when they were illegally detained by local government in September in 2013.

The seven petitioners have been arrested by Beijing police after receiving medical treatment for injuries incurred from the collective suicide attempts. Police say that the seven have been detained for allegedly "picking quarrels" and "provoking trouble."