On June 20, 2001, horrifying news spread from Baiguo Township (Macheng City, Hubei Province). Local police burned a Falun Gong practitioner to death and dragged two others behind motorcycles. In total, four Falun Gong practitioners were burned, tortured, or beaten to death.

According to sources, policemen from Baiguo Township tortured four Falun Gong practitioners to death. One practitioner was beaten severely, brought to the front of the local government building called "Jin Yuan Square," and then burned to death. The police then declared to the on-lookers that it was a self-immolation.

Eyewitnesses to the event stated that two other Falun Gong practitioners from Baiguo were tied to motorcycles and dragged on the ground at high speed.

Observers pointed out that the incident showed the government's persecution of Falun Gong had reached an insane state, and that it was unimaginable that such lawless behaviors actually happened within a government-controlled plaza that is open to the public. They also indicated that this type of event has been unheard of since China's Cultural Revolution. Sources revealed that the "610 Office" (Government department established specifically to detain and persecute Falun Gong practitioners) of Baiguo Township forced practitioners into brainwashing classes. Those practitioners who refused to renounce their practice have faced severe torture. Sources stated that the official who directed these events in Baiguo was Shiqian Xu, the Secretary of the Politics and Law Committee of Baiguo Township. Sources stated that he had personally taken part in the torture and beating of Falun Gong practitioners.

Recent news accounts reported that China's Public Security Ministry issued secret orders to its subordinate organizations on handling cases in which Falun Gong practitioners were beaten to death. The order stated that dead practitioners need not be identified and should be immediately cremated locally. Observers suspect officials from Baiguo were encouraged and pressured by upper levels of government to carry out these inhuman acts.