China investigates personal disputes after mass killings. Many fear further violations of freedom

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BANGKOK (AP) – Chinese leader Xi Jinping wants to ensure there is no repeat of the recent spree of mass killings that shocked the country. He ordered local governments to prevent “extreme cases” in the future. Attacks in which drivers hit pedestrians or knife-wielding attackers stab multiple victims are nothing new in China, but the latest wave has drawn attention. Local officials quickly vowed to investigate any kind of personal disputes that could spark aggression, from marital problems to inheritance disagreements. However, the increasing reach into people’s private lives is a cause for concern at a time when the Chinese state has already tightened its control over all aspects of society and politics.