Three people have been criminally detained after a video allegedly showing street enforcement personnel assaulting members of the public on a pedestrian bridge in Wuhan, Hubei province, went viral online.
The footage, which was reportedly filmed at night, appeared to show several uniformed enforcement personnel kicking and punching people who were already on the ground. One individual was allegedly struck with a hard object, while a roadside stall was also seen being knocked over during the confrontation.
The video quickly attracted public attention after claims circulated online that the incident involved city management officers, commonly known in China as chengguan.
Wuchang District branch of the Wuhan Public Security Bureau said the incident took place at around 9.35pm on Sunday (Aug 9), after police received a report of a physical confrontation on a pedestrian bridge in the area.
According to the police, 45-year-old Jin, a street management assistant, was conducting an inspection when he became involved in a dispute with two stall operators, identified as Huang, 44, and Ren, 45, over street vending.
Police said Huang and Ren allegedly assaulted Jin, leaving him with facial injuries.
Two of Jin’s colleagues, identified as Yan, 39, and Guo, 40, reportedly arrived after learning about the confrontation. The authorities said the three men subsequently assaulted Huang and Ren.
Following the incident, Jin, Yan and Guo were detained on suspicion of intentional injury, according to the police statement.
The authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, while the viral footage continues to draw attention online.
The case also highlights the tensions that can arise between street vendors and enforcement personnel during disputes over roadside trading, with the authorities now investigating the circumstances and respective actions of those involved.
