Coronavirus outbreak

Coronavirus: Excessive policing in Hubei draws residents' outrage

They accuse local officials of abusing their power in draconian push to curb virus spread

Medical workers receiving chillies donated from Shandong province at a hospital in the city of Xiangyang, in Hubei province, yesterday. Hubei has rolled out a slew of stricter measures this week, including lockdowns in communities and a ban on all mo
Medical workers receiving chillies donated from Shandong province at a hospital in the city of Xiangyang, in Hubei province, yesterday. Hubei has rolled out a slew of stricter measures this week, including lockdowns in communities and a ban on all motor vehicles on the roads, except those essential to coronavirus-fighting efforts. PHOTO: REUTERS
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A video shows community workers pulling a man off a motorbike for not wearing a face mask and tying him to a tree, before one of them forcibly puts a bra over his face.

Another shows a grassroots law enforcer marching into a house where a family of three is playing mahjong, and throwing the tiles on the floor.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 20, 2020, with the headline Coronavirus: Excessive policing in Hubei draws residents' outrage. Subscribe