July 03, 2012 - 3:15 AM
BEIJING, China - Officials in a Chinese city where thousands of people clashed with police over a planned copper alloy project have denied anyone died in the protest and told the public not to spread false information.
A government notice issued Tuesday by the city of Shifang in Sichuan province asked the public not to spread rumours and to safeguard social stability.
Public anger surged as Internet users circulated photos and videos of police using tear gas and batons to end Monday's protests. Some were saying one protester had died.
The city has halted the project and said it plans to educate residents about it.
The protesters fear the plant would cause pollution. Pollution problems are a leading cause of unrest in China as the country undergoes rapid economic development.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012