Police Attack Kills 2, Chinese Villagers Say

Police shot and killed at least two people in a dawn raid meant to force destitute residents of a farm village in southern China to pay an agricultural tax, residents of neighboring villages said Friday.

Police sealed off Yunxing village in Jiangxi province after the attack by about 600 officers Sunday, said residents interviewed by phone.

Villagers who had tried to keep police out by blocking a road with an iron gate fought back with shovels, sticks and other improvised weapons, said a villager in Xidan, who gave only his surname, Wu. He said two people were killed and at least 18 injured.

A resident of another nearby village, who identified himself only as Mr. Zhu, said three people died.

An official in Yingtan said there was a “sort of conflict between armed police and villagers in Yunxing causing some casualties.” He refused to give his name.