Police in China's capital round up hundreds of citizens

Police in China's capital have rounded up hundreds of aggrieved citizens to prevent disturbances during upcoming National Day celebrations, a New York-based human rights group said Thursday.

Human Rights in China said that police detained more than 200 petitioners in raids on two hostels and a petitioners' squatter village near Beijing's southern train station on Wednesday.

Public Security officials had no immediate comment on the report. Beijing authorities routinely detain petitioners from outside the capital demanding relief for alleged injustices like illegal land seizures and unpaid workers compensation.

The expulsions are normally stepped up ahead of important government events, and involve local officials summoned to the capital to escort petitioners home, reports the AP. I.L.