Planned incinerator sparks violent protests in Hangzhou

Violent protests erupted over a planned waste incinerator on the outskirts of Hangzhou over the weekend, leaving dozens injured, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing official media, unofficial reports on social media and press accounts. Tension had been building for about a month over plans for the plant that residents of rural, mountainous Yuhang district said threatened to pollute the area. Hand-to-hand fighting broke out Saturday between protesters who blocked the highway and police armed with sticks and shields. State news agency Xinhua said 10 residents and 29 police officers were hurt; some reports said the clashes caused deaths.