Authorities in southwestern China say they will reopen an investigation into the death of a teenage girl that recently sparked violent protests in Guizhou province.
Some 30-thousand people protested in the town of Weng'an Saturday and Sunday, venting anger against a police report that said the girl, Li Shufen, had drowned.
Residents of Weng'an believe a son of a local government official raped and killed Li. Her body was pulled from a local river on June 22.
China's official Xinhua news agency reports Tuesday that the provincial government has sent 10 criminal investigators and forensic experts to reinvestigate her death.
Xinhua says Guizhou Communist Party chief, Shi Zongyuan, traveled to the town today to stress the importance of maintaining social stability.
Xinhua reports that 20 police officers and 30 rioters were injured during the violent unrest. Protesters overturned and torched police cars and set fire to government buildings.
Several hundred people were arrested.
Shi was quoted as saying there must be deep-seated reasons beyond the girl's death for the violent protests. He says disputes over mines, immigration, relocation of residents for construction projects and other problems have not been given due attention for a long time.
Shi also met with local government officials and residents during his visit.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP,
AP and Xinhua.