China's top court has called on courts nationwide to maintain a tough stance on organized crime in rural areas, urging harsh punishments for individuals whose actions harm others and disrupt rural stability.

The Supreme People's Court on Thursday highlighted five cases involving rural gang activity, underscoring intensified judicial efforts to combat organized crime in villages. The court also called on judges to sustain these measures.

In one case, a man identified by his surname, Ouyang, from Chenzhou in Hunan province, was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison for multiple offenses, including organized crime, public disorder, intentional injury, illegal detention, gambling, and operating casinos.

The Suxian District People's Court in Chenzhou also fined Ouyang 163,000 yuan ($22,233) and confiscated personal assets worth 100,000 yuan. Fourteen members of his group received sentences ranging from two to 11 years and were also fined, according to the court.

The court found that in May 2012, Ouyang organized a group that used knives to injure three people and destroy three cars during a fight over mineral resources. His group, which later developed into a rural gang, was involved in running casinos, providing high-interest loans, illegal detention, and repeated disruptions to public order, the court said.

"The crackdown on these organized criminals is essential to protecting the legitimate rights of other villagers, maintaining rural stability, and supporting the country's rural revitalization efforts," the top court said.