A petitioner's tale of troubles, car crashes

• Source: The Global Times
• [22:21 April 29 2009]
• Comments

He Chaojun, a peasant from the outskirts of the city of Gongyi, Henan Province, went to the State bureau after his petition was dismissed at lower levels.

A curve in a new road built outside his home created an unusual accident blackspot: He Chaojun’s house. Between 2004 and 2006, three cars swerved and crashed into his home.

When he sought government assistance, his hometown official suggested He Chaojun was overreacting, that he should set up “protection facilities”. Finally, he suggested He Chaojun just leave his home – without compensation.

From 2005 until today, He Chaojun has gone from tier to tier filing petitions. “I either got suggestions similar to the one from my hometown government,” said He Chaojun, “Or I was simply told to go.”

After local TV reported his story in 2005, He Chaojun filed petitions at local government and the Gongyi city government. His town leaders were ordered to build a buffer around his home. Nothing ever got built. The money was embezzled, according to He.

He came to Beijing in March 2009 to file a petition, “my last glimmer of hope”.

“You can invite a panel of experts to carry out research,” a clerk in his 30s told He Chaojun, sitting behind a hall window. “It’s not up to you to say the road is dangerous.”

“Who will pay for the experts?” He Chaojun asked.

“It’s your house and you expect others to pay?” said the clerk.

“Or you could move,” he said after a pause. “Why don’t you just move?”

He Chaojun tried arguing his case but it took less than a minute for the clerk to lose his temper.

“Go! Go now!” shouted the clerk. “Next!”

He Chaojun’s eyes watered as he left the room.