Action needed to avoid similar tragedies

Neither sympathy with, nor punishment of a recent bomber can prevent such a tragedy from happening again, said an article in Southern Metropolis Daily (excerpts below).

Ji Zhongxing, a paralyzed man from Shandong province detonated a bomb he made from firecracker explosives at Beijing International Airport on July 20, after warning other people to stay away from him. He was badly injured and a police officer was slightly wounded.

Ji was in a wheelchair handing out leaflets at the airport to complain about his hard life caused by the authorities' unjust treatment to him. In 2005, he claimed, he became paralyzed after being beaten by police in Dongguan, Guangdong province for charging passengers to transport them on his motorcycle. He received 100,000 yuan ($16,000) compensation from the local authority and agreed to keep silent on the matter.

However, as his condition worsened, he asked for more money from the Dongguan authority but his request was turned down. After vainly appealing to governments and judicial authorities at various levels, he attempted suicide in the airport.

Before showing sympathy for the bomber, the public and the media should reflect that their sympathy could encourage more people with similar experiences to take extreme measures to end their or other people's lives. Before punishing Ji according to law, the authority must reflect on the causes of the tragedy and take action to prevent such things from happening again.

The judicial authority needs to investigate Ji's case and punish the people responsible for his injuries if possible. Judicial and government departments should establish more channels for people like Ji to solve such problems. If such channels do not function well, the people's dissatisfaction will turn to fury and despair.