Eviction Notice with Bullet Threatens Inner Mongolian Residents

It was no ordinary eviction notice. In July, residents at a factory-housing complex in north China’s Inner Mongolia received this notice. It told them to move out by August 15, in accordance with government orders. If they refused, they would receive a so-called “gift” — and attached to the letter, was a bullet.

A local real estate development company sent the notice to residents in Hohhot city. Properties in the area are marked for demolition to make way for re-development.

The notice asks residents to comply with the eviction process, or risk ending up like a man surnamed Wong. Residents say he was beaten up after a dispute with property developers and eventually moved away.

Chinese bloggers have been passing around photos of the notice with the bullet, prompting people to call on authorities for an investigation.

Hohhot city police confirmed with Hunan based Xiaoxiang Morning Herald that a number of residents received the notice, and they are investigating.

But according to one blogger who spoke to a resident, police turned their investigation towards them instead, and tried to find out if anyone was in the military, to determine the source of the bullet. The real estate company denied sending out the notice and told Xiaoxiang Morning Herald last Friday that they are not under any police investigation.

The property boom in China has sparked a wave of forced evictions around the country. Local authorities and real estate developers seek to demolish buildings and cash in on land redevelopment. Residents often refuse to leave because of inadequate compensation. It often paves the way for violent confrontations. Families have reported having their water and power cut off, being harassed and eventually forced to move by hired thugs.

As for residents in Hohhot city, photos have surfaced online showing their housing is starting to be taken down.

Foto: NTDTV