China to crack down on threats to rural stability

BEIJING - The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) issued a document on Friday on the fight against officials who provide protection to "village strongmen" and gangs.

SPP want more to be done in terms of officials who indulge or cover up for gangsters, racketeers and gang members.

Those who provided protection, accept bribes or practice favoritism for personal gain should be targeted, the document read.

Procuratorates should be resolute in punishing criminal acts committed by unappointed village "bosses" and their supporters and expedite cases that seriously infringe on people's immediate interests and affect the normal life of villagers.

Manipulating elections via bribery or menaces must be met head on, the document said.

"Organized and planned violations" and rabble-rousing should be particularly severely dealt with.

The document suggests harsh punishment for mafia-style organizations and those who masterminded riots or bully people with violence, coercion or other measures.