In blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng's hometown, pain lingers

(CBS News) Chen Guangcheng no longer lives in Dongshigu village. The human rights activist several weeks ago escaped from house arrest in China and sought help inside the U.S. Embassy. After weeks of negotiations, the Chinese allowed Chen to re-settle in New York with his wife and two children, but a lot of his family is still in China.

Chen's old village is now guarded by men who locals said were thugs hired by the government. These men are refusing to identify themselves, but they told a CBS News crew they were not allowed into the village, and couldn't film here.

Chen Guangcheng escaped house arrest in April, leaving much of his extended family behind.

Chen's older brother met with CBS News at a secret location nearby. He said police tortured him to discover how Chen managed to escape.

"They handcuffed me, and tied me to a chair," he said through a translator. "Then they chained my legs together and began to beat me around the head. They removed my own leather belt, looped it together, and then hit me with that as well."

Blind Chinese activist Chen seeking book deal
What's next for Chen Guangcheng?
Chinese Dissident Chen Guangcheng

Chen's brother said they also beat his wife. When his son tried to defend himself with a knife, he said the police arrested him and charged him with attempted murder.

Wang Jinxiang, 78, mother of blind activist Chen Guangcheng

Chen's elderly mother Wang Jinxiang is 78 years old. She said she's been targeted for years, ever since her son spoke out about how the local government forced women to undergo abortion as part of China's one-child policy.

"The men follow me wherever I go," she said. "Three or four of them at a time. Sometimes they search me - my bag, my clothes, my pockets. They even search my shoes."

Chen's brother said the activist waited until his guards went to get water to make a run for it. He had only ten seconds to do it. It was a desperate act after years of imprisonment and abuse.

Now, Chen has freedom and a new life in New York with his wife and children. But the rest of his family still faces an uncertain future.

9 Photos

Chinese Dissident Chen Guangcheng

View the Full Gallery »

[carbon154]

I'm speechless.

[myth1958]

China reveals itself as an insecure, cowardly regime not worthy of the status they've wrenched from the people. Certainly, my own government is no saint: we have our own history of abuse to confront. But this example of Chinese fascism tells all of the world how a proud people who deserve better are treated at the hands of their abusers. There is no freedom of speech; no freedom of thought. The authorities crush anyone they please - even women and children - because they can. There is no 'opposition party' - no dissent to speak of, for these paranoid men at the top of the Asian power structure rely on thugs to rape and abuse those they mean to govern. Our fights on this side of the ocean are tame matches with feathers in comparison: China is the dog of the world. They will earn every bit of bad karma, every condemnation, every revolution which disrupts their fairy-tale story of deceit, lies and abortion of the truth which they promulgate to over a billion souls every day. May they join their ancestors quickly and leave the country to heal on its' own. The people can do just fine without 'communist' masters whipping them daily.

[ludvig1-2009]

Definitely thugs. What are the Chinese trying to hide?