From AFP:
The government of an eastern Chinese city is abducting citizens who complain to higher authorities over local injustices and holding them in mental asylums, state media reported on Monday.
At least 18 people were believed to have been detained in the city of Xintai, with some being administered debilitating drugs when they objected, according to an investigative report by the Beijing News.
The report said victims were released only when they vowed to drop their complaints.
Under a system dating from imperial days, Chinese people who suffer injustices can petition central authorities in Beijing for help.
Also, read this account from New Beijing of one petitioner’s experience being sent to an asylum, translated by Bob Chen at Global Voices Online.