Wen encourages govt criticism

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is known for his populist approach.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is known for his populist approach. He often races to the scene of natural disasters to comfort survivors. On state-run television,he can be seen eating with the poor and disadvantaged in rural villages. His common touch has even earned him the nickname Grandpa Wen.

But late Monday,the 68-year-old Prime Minister made what many analysts consider a bolder than usual move: he appeared at the nations top petition bureau in Beijing,where ordinary people go to file grievances,and encouraged citizens to criticise the government.

We are the peoples government and our power is vested upon us by the people, the Prime Minister said during the visit. We should use the power in our hands to serve the interest of the people.

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The move was unusual because the national petition bureau is known as a lightning rod for anger about official corruption and complaints of all sort. And in a nation that snuffs out dissent,the government sometimes deems it appropriate to detain petitioners here.

But Wednesday,the state-run news media showed images of the Prime Minister meeting with a small group of petitioners at the bureau officially known as the State Bureau for Letters and Calls. The state-controlled media reports said he encouraged government workers to handle the petitioner cases properly. Wen also told officials to make it easier for citizens to criticise and monitor the government. Media said it was the first time a Prime Minister has appeared at the bureau since founding of the Communist state in 1949.DAVID BARBOZA

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Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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