Authorities at scene to quiet down unrest at southwest China rubberplant

KUNMING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Local authorities have arrived at the scene of an unrest at a rubber plant in southwest China's Yunnan Province to investigate and deal with the situation.

Some people who were injured in the chaos have been sent to hospital.

More than 200 people, mostly rubber farmers, still gathered at the plant at 2 a.m. Sunday in Meng'a village, Mengma Township of Menglian county after a conflict between local people and police Saturday morning.

Local sources said rubber farmers had been in disputes with the rubber plant in recent years and sometimes they had violent clashes.

The police were confronted by a crowd in mission to deal with the issue on Saturday.

They were forced to use baton guns when attacked by more than 400 people, local authorities said. The shots caused two deaths of local people, while 13 others and 41 policemen were injured in the incident.

Authorities also said eight vehicles were damaged.