Urumqi (China), July 6 (Xinhua) At least four people, including a police official, were killed and dozens injured in clashes between Uyghurs and members of China’s Han majority in northwestern Xinjiang province, authorities said Monday.
Several vehicles and shops were also smashed or set ablaze Sunday evening during the violence that the provincial government said was masterminded by the separatist World Uyghur Congress.
However, the situation is now under control, the government added.
Previous reports said that three people belonging to the Han ethnic group were killed in the incident.
“They took to the street, not peacefully, carrying knives, wooden batons, brick and stone,” said Wang Yaming, who was attacked down by the mob but saved by a group of Uygur citizens.
The banned World Uyghur Congress is led by Rebiya Kadeer, a former businesswoman, who was detained in 1999 on charges of harming national security. She was released on bail in March 2005 to seek medical treatment in the US.
“The violence is a preempted and organised crime. It is instigated and directed from abroad, and carried out by outlaws in the country,” a government statement said early Monday.
Nur Bekri, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, said the Uyghur Congress had called on its supporters to hold demonstrations over the death of two Uygur workers in a brawl in a toy factory in Guangdong province June 26.
On Sunday evening, the protesters marched and demonstrated in the city that turned violent after the Uyghurs started beating innocent people. They also looted and vandalized several shops and public properties in some places, the official said.
