A video of paramilitary troops being badly beaten in a hazing ritual has gone viral on Chinese websites this week, exposing a rarely seen side of the country’s security forces.

The 15-minute video shows five new firefighters in Inner Mongolia being slapped, kicked and hit with sticks and belts by eight more senior members of their brigade. After each round of assault the new recruits are made to stand at attention before they are attacked again.

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In China firefighting duties are largely handled by brigades attached to the People’s Armed Police, a paramilitary group also responsible for internal security and border patrol. The Armed Police are organized like the military but fall under both the Ministry of Public Security and the Central Military Commission and are separate from the People’s Liberation Army.



Like the P.L.A., the Armed Police maintain a secretive culture, even by the tight-lipped standards of most security forces. While revelations of violent hazing in military units are not uncommon in the United States and elsewhere, they are seldom seen in China, and the posting of the video offered Chinese citizens new insights into the inner workings of an organization tasked with protecting them.

Online comments overwhelmingly expressed disgust at the hazing.

“This group of beasts is worse than pigs and dogs, hitting faces with leather belts, punching and kicking. This is the first-rate style of the People’s Armed Police firefighters?” wrote one commenter on Sina Weibo, the Chinese microblog service. “This is so-called strict and impartial discipline. If you treat your own comrades like that, how do you treat others? It makes one shiver all over!”

The video appeared to have been shot by the assailants, who could be seen adjusting the camera to ensure the beatings were recorded. It was not clear who posted it online.

In an online posting the Wuhai city fire brigade confirmed that the video was genuine, and said it was made in June 2012.

“The nature of this matter is completely vile, its effect is completely vile, and it has exposed serious questions about the management of our unit,” the posting said. “We are deeply shocked, hurt and blame ourselves. We deeply apologize to all walks of society and the troops who were beaten.”

The fire brigade said that the personnel responsible would be suspended pending an internal investigation and “seriously dealt with.” Those who had already left the force would be referred to the police, it said.