Two members of staff at the urban management bureau in Yan'an, Shaanxi province, were detained by police after they beat a man who was selling bikes on the street, China Daily learned on Thursday.

Li Jianqiang, deputy secretary-general of Yan'an city government, also said two bureau officers were facing punishment.

At about 5 pm on May 31, a man, surnamed Liu, was illegally selling bikes on the street. A scuffle broke out when bureau staff tried to stop him.

Li said that the urban management officers acted violently and were wrong to do so.

Altogether, eight bureau staff members were punished.

Liu suffered injuries and was hospitalized for treatment. The city government paid his costs.