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LESS than one month after an “AIDS demolition team” in China’s Central Henan Province sparked huge controversy, another group of demolition personnel snagged headlines recently, this time featuring “dama,” or middle-aged Chinese women.
In a surveillance video that went viral on the Internet recently, a group of middle-aged women, can be seen storming into a house and punching the windows, sticks in hand.
The attack took place in a make-shift house in Henan’s Zhecheng County during the early hours of Jan. 7. The house owner reportedly refused to move out after failing to reach a compensation deal with the real estate developer, according to the China News Service.
The 20 members of the demolition squad were each given 200 yuan (US$32.6) to demolish the house. A local public security official said they are looking into the case.
A publicity official of Zhe-cheng confirmed the authenticity of the video to Xinhua, adding that the dama were construction workers hired by a real estate developer to persuade the house owner, an old lady, to sign demolition contracts.
The official said on condition of anonymity that 71 out of 72 households in the area have moved out. The old lady has refused to move unless she gets a compensation of 3 million yuan. He added that there were no “violent attacks” at the site.
“Dama” are usually seen as those who keep a tight grip on the family purse and have their eyes set on gold prices in jewelry shops.
In recent years, “dama,” many of whom have a big passion for dancing in public squares, have courted controversy as they often disturb residents by playing music at high volumes while dancing in public spaces.
The topic is being heatedly discussed on microblog Sina Weibo, with many people saying the absurd demolition team shows loopholes in a society under the rule of law.
“First there was the AIDS demolition team, now there is a dama demolition team. What’s next?” read one comment.
“Why don’t they just stick to dancing in public squares?” said another.(Xinhua)
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