KUNMING - Authorities in southwest China's Yunnan province are investigating a suspicious death following a dispute over a local demolition project.

The party secretary of Laodian township has been suspended from his post and a special work team has been set up to look into the case, according to a statement from the Qiaojia county government, which administers Laodian.

A conflict broke out on Tuesday when authorities in Laodian attempted to demolish an illegally constructed building owned by villager Ding Fachao.
Ding died on Wednesday morning after a half-day stay in a township government office.

Villagers had been rallying outside the township government's offices since Wednesday to demand an explanation for Ding's death. The crowd dispersed on Thursday after negotiating with local officials, the statement said.

The statement said police are still investigating the case.