Beijing - Protestors from China's Hui Muslim minority blocked three bridges in the central province of Henan after a Han Chinese bus driver accused of killing a Hui Chinese was released by police, sources said Thursday.

Up to 1,000 people took to the streets in Luohe, unhappy with the 200,000-yuan (29,000-dollar) compensation offered to the family, according to a statement by the Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

There have been ongoing conflicts between Hui and Han residents in Luohe, the Hong Kong-based human rights group said, adding that the protest, which it said occurred Tuesday through Thursday, was organized to coincide with a meeting between the local government and visiting Taiwan politician James Soong.

A local shopkeeper and witness who estimated protestor numbers to be several hundred, said she couldn't ride her bike across one of the blocked bridges.

A representative from the local police traffic bureau who refused to give his name confirmed the protest took place but said it was held only Wednesday.

He said the "government had been quite patient" with protestors, adding that members of the Hui community would "use any reason to make trouble." (dpa)