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Furious Shanghai residents clashed with hazmat-suited police Thursday after they were ordered to give up their homes so COVID-19 patients in China’s most populous city can isolate amid draconian lockdowns.

Officers were filmed wrestling residents to the ground and then leading some away to a van — as others said they were fearful that making their home a quarantine center amid an influx of cases would expose them to the illness, according to Agence France-Presse and footage of the incident.

“It’s not that I don’t want to cooperate with the country, but how would you feel if you live in a building where the blocks are only 10 meters (30 feet) apart, everyone has tested negative, and these people are allowed in?” a woman who filmed Thursday’s ordeal could be heard saying in the video.

Residents also accused cops in the video of “hitting people” — and a sobbing woman could be heard asking, “Why are they taking an old person away?”

The rare show of dissent in the Communist country comes amid growing frustration after millions in Shanghai were plunged into a strict lockdown last month when cases started to spike in the face of China’s zero-COVID policy.


  Cops have been accused of some pretty harsh tactics in COVID-ravaged Shanghai.
 Cops have been accused of some pretty harsh tactics in COVID-ravaged Shanghai.

  Hazmat-suited police wrestled with Shanghai residents after they were ordered to give up their homes. via REUTERS Hazmat-suited police wrestled with Shanghai residents after they were ordered to give up their homes. via REUTERS

  Videos show officers wrestling residents to the ground and hitting others. Twitter / @jenniferatntd Videos show officers wrestling residents to the ground and hitting others. Twitter / @jenniferatntd

  Police officers in hazmat suits stand by a vehicle as residents protest. via REUTERS Police officers in hazmat suits stand by a vehicle as residents protest. via REUTERS

In an attempt to control the virus, everyone who tests positive in China must quarantine at designated sites — and neighbors are also forced to isolate in their homes for 14 days.

Shanghai has doubled down on the policy by converting schools, newly constructed apartment blocks and exhibition halls into quarantine centers.

The Thursday clash between residents and cops erupted after authorities forced out 39 tenants to make room for infected patients.

Zhangjiang Group, the developer of the complex, said the tenants were offered rooms in other parts of the building and claimed they were compensated.


  Residents were ordered to leave their homes so COVID-19 patients in Shanghai could isolate. REUTERS/Aly Song Residents were ordered to leave their homes so COVID-19 patients in Shanghai could isolate. REUTERS/Aly Song

  Workers in protective suits disinfect an old residential area under lockdown. REUTERS/Aly Song Workers in protective suits disinfect an old residential area under lockdown. REUTERS/Aly Song

  China ordered those who test positive for COVID-19 to quarantine at designated sites for 14 days. REUTERS/Aly Song China ordered those who test positive for COVID-19 to quarantine at designated sites for 14 days. REUTERS/Aly Song

Ever since Shanghai residents were forced into lockdown, social media has been awash with complaints about the restrictions, heavy-handed controls and even food shortages.

A Chinese health care worker sparked outrage last week after being filmed beating a helpless corgi to death over unfounded fears it could spread COVID-19.

Other videos have emerged showing desperate residents bursting through barricades demanding food and water.


  The clash erupted after 39 tenants were ordered to leave their building complex. REUTERS/Aly Song The clash erupted after 39 tenants were ordered to leave their building complex. REUTERS/Aly Song

  Officers were filmed wrestling residents to the ground and then leading some away to a van. Twitter / @jenniferatntd Officers were filmed wrestling residents to the ground and then leading some away to a van. Twitter / @jenniferatntd

  Shanghai has been the site of other controversial incidents over halting the spread of COVID-19, including beating a corgi to death over fears it could pass along the virus. AFP via Getty Images Shanghai has been the site of other controversial incidents over halting the spread of COVID-19, including beating a corgi to death over fears it could pass along the virus. AFP via Getty Images

Authorities haven’t disclosed how many people are in quarantine, but Shanghai has recorded more than 280,000 COVID infections since March.

Shanghai reported 19,872 new asymptomatic cases and 3,200 new symptomatic cases on April 14, the local government said Friday.

With Post wires


  Furious Shanghai residents clashed with hazmat-suited police Thursday after they were ordered to give up their homes so COVID-19 patients in China’s most populous city can isolate during draconian lockdowns. Twitter / @jenniferatntd Furious Shanghai residents clashed with hazmat-suited police Thursday after they were ordered to give up their homes so COVID-19 patients in China’s most populous city can isolate during draconian lockdowns. Twitter / @jenniferatntd
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