A people's network protesting in Chiang Mai province said today that it will file a police complaint after two protesters suffered broken arms during a brief scuffle with police, who tried to block them from marching to the Chinese Consulate General.
Chatchai Thammamo, a representative of the protesters, said the group had not expected police to use force against demonstrators who had gathered merely to submit a petition.
He said that formal notification of the protest had been submitted in advance to Muang Chiang Mai Police Station and the secretary of the Chinese Consulate General, informing them that the group would submit a letter that day.
"The people who came only wanted Chinese companies to take responsibility for mining operations that have contaminated the Kok River with toxic substances. We saw the police set up metal barricades, but we never expected violence to occur," he said.
Chatchai alleged that two protesters carrying a banner approached the police barricade, where officers pushed them.
"The police used force. They greatly outnumbered us and were physically stronger. As a result, both protesters suffered broken arms," he said.
After submitting the petition, the network said it would file a complaint with Muang Chiang Mai Police Station, alleging that officers used excessive force, causing injuries.
Members of civic groups from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces rallied in Chiang Mai today to protest against the unregulated discharge of heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the Mekong River and its tributaries.
They submitted a petition addressed to Xi Jinping through the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai.
