Local residents gather in front of a municipal government building in Shifang county, Sichuan province, in this handout picture taken July 2, 2012.
Chinese authorities are vowing to inflict what they call "severe punishment" on organizers of a two-day protest who are concerned about the environmental impact of a proposed heavy metal refinery in their town.
Authorities say unrest broke out Monday when several thousand protesters clashed with police outside a government building in the small central city of Shifang.
China Vows Crackdown on Protesters
1/6Local residents march with banners during a protest along a street in Shifang, Sichuan province, China, July 3, 2012.
Chinese authorities vow to inflict "severe punishment" on organizers of demonstrations against a proposed heavy metal refinery.
2/6Riot police (L) sit next to local residents as they take a rest during a protest in Shifang, Sichuan province, China, July 3, 2012.
Chinese authorities vow to inflict "severe punishment" on organizers of demonstrations against a proposed heavy metal refinery.
3/6Riot police stand in a line to guard a street during a protest in Shifang, Sichuan province, China, July 3, 2012.
Chinese authorities vow to inflict "severe punishment" on organizers of demonstrations against a proposed heavy metal refinery.
4/6Torn up road dividers are placed on a street as roadblocks to prevent police from approaching in Shifang, Sichuan province, China, July 3, 2012.
Chinese authorities vow to inflict "severe punishment" on organizers of demonstrations against a proposed heavy metal refinery.
5/6Local residents gather in front of a municipal government building in Shifang county, Sichuan province, China, in this handout picture taken July 2, 2012.
Chinese authorities vow to inflict "severe punishment" on organizers of demonstrations against a proposed heavy metal refinery.
6/6Local residents parade with banners during a protest along a street in Shifang county, Sichuan province, China, in this handout picture taken on July 2, 2012.
Chinese authorities vow to inflict "severe punishment" on organizers of demonstrations against a proposed heavy metal refinery.
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Police responded with tear gas, and pictures circulated online showed police beating protesters. Officials say 13 people were injured.
Shifang police on Tuesday demanded the surrender of those organizing the demonstrations, saying anyone using the Internet or text messages to organize the "illegal protests" should immediately stop their activities.
The Shifang government said Monday it has suspended the construction of the molybdenum and copper refinery, which citizens say would cause heavy amounts of pollution.
Such localized protests are increasingly common in China, where city officials have struggled to balance rapid urban development with rising public anger over environmental threats.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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