Police in southwestern China's Guizhou Province on Wednesday announced a four-month crackdown on gangs who were accused of inciting violence over a teenager's death.

Luo Yi, police chief of Qiannan prefecture, which administers Weng'an County, scene of violent protests on Saturday, said the crackdown would "target gangs and criminal elements in Weng'an and its neighboring areas".

Police would also investigate the illegal possession of guns and explosives, gambling, and other organized criminal activities, he said.

Luo said Saturday's violence was "fanned and exacerbated by local gangs and criminals, who were organized in sending gasoline, machetes, clubs and fireworks to aid the destruction".

Up to 30,000 people were involved in the protest, which was prompted by the controversial police report into the death of 17-year-old Li Shufen. Police concluded she drowned, but her family and relatives contend she was raped and killed.

The protest turned violent and rioters mobbed government office buildings. More than 150 police and protesters were injured, but no deaths were reported. About 160 offices and more than 40 vehicles were torched.

Police believe 134 people committed the destruction, and later took 59 people into custody. Sixteen of them are in police detention.

Luo said Li's death was an ordinary civil case, and the gangs "made efforts to fan the flames".

Zhao Chenggui, a witness, said 200 to 300 young men led the riot at the government facilities. "They whistled with a long blast for charge and a short blast for retreat," he said.

"At times the whistles were drowned out by the noise, and the men shouted and gestured each other to continue the attack," he added.

The provincial government has since reopened the probe into the girl's death.

A third autopsy on Li was carried out by five experts from the Guizhou Provincial Department of Public Security and the Provincial High People's Court on Wednesday morning.

Her father, Li Xiuhua, aunt Luo Xingju and a local villager who was elected to witness the autopsy were present. The results are yet to be published.

According to local custom, Li's body was buried in her hometown of Yuhua Township on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of local villagers were present at her funeral.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2008)