According to pictures and a written communication the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC) received from eyewitnesses, a police vehicle was smashed with sticks and stones by hundreds of Mongolian protesters, mostly herders. Before more police arrived, the angry protesters marched to the Banner Public Security Bureau building and smashed its windows and broke its doors. 

The incident was sparked by three Chinese drunks, reportedly wealthy and well-connected with the local authorities, who insulted a Mongolian herder verbally and had him severely beaten up for no apparent reason. The police who arrived at the scene not only refused to arrest the three Chinese offenders, but arrested and tortured the victimized Mongolian herder.

“The herder was beaten and injured. Yet, the police tortured him brutally and poured hot chili pepper water into his eyes at the scene,” a Mongolian who witnessed the police brutality writes angrily on his blog, “isn’t this flagrant racism and ethnic discrimination against us Mongolians?”

“Seeing the extreme injustice and discrimination, hundreds of Mongolians rushed to destroy the police vehicle at the scene and proceeded to smash the windows of the Public Security building,” another Mongolian blogger expressed his anger.

In response to the unrest, the riot police and additional Public Security personnel from Shiliin-hot, capital of Shiliin-gol League, and elsewhere were called to help crack down on the Mongolians. As a result, a dozen Mongolians were arrested and several hospitalized.

“The issue is not over yet. We strongly urge the authorities to bring the three Chinese to justice, punish those police who abused their power, and release the arrested Mongolians immediately,” Mongolian netizens rallied the Mongolians to demand a just resolution to the case.

“I was on the scene, and supported our fellow Mongolians,” a Mongolian student who identified himself as Bataa told SMHRIC about the clash, “the Chinese are going too far on our own land.”

SMHRIC contacted the Sunid Left Banner Public Security Bureau by phone to gather further information from the authorities directly. An official from the Bureau who answered the phone confirmed the clash had occurred. When asked whether the arrested herders were released, the official said “no, not yet,”. At that point, he declined further comments about the clash and said “I am busy” before hanging up the phone.