Chinese police shoot dead 12 mobsters in July 5 Urumqi riot
- Source: Xinhua
- [10:31 July 19 2009]
- Comments
Chinese police shot 12 mobsters in the July 5 riot in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to protect people's lives as much as possible, chairman of the regional government said Saturday in Urumqi.
Three of them died on the spot while nine died after failing treatment, said the official.
Nur Bekri, chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region government, said on the night of July 5, policemen "resolutely" shot 12 mobsters after firing guns into the air had no effects on these "extremely vicious" thugs.
"The police showed as much restraint as possible during the unrest. Many of them were injured and a 31-year-old officer was killed. He was hit by mobsters in the head with a stone," he said in an interview with overseas reporters here Saturday.
He added that many innocent people were injured in the head by thugs with iron rods, stones and bricks. Knives were also used.
Nur Bekri admitted that they had never expected a student parade could turn into such ferocious violence.
He said that the local government had taken timely actions to prevent emergencies as soon as they received information on the students' plan.
"But we could never imagine that the mobsters were so extremely vicious and inhumane... We really didn't expect that," he said, referring to thugs entering small alleys and lanes to attack innocent people.
He said that these violators had prepared many weapons such as rods, stones and took actions in various places at the same time, which experts said was similar to the terrorist attacks that occurred in other countries recently.
According to the official, as of now the riot had left a total of 197 people dead, and most of them were innocent residents.
Nur Bekri said as the local situation is becoming more stable, "it won't be long" before the Internet was completely reopened to the public.
He said that during the riot, the Internet and cell phone messages became the main communication methods for mobsters, and it was necessary for the government to shut down the Internet to stabilize people's emotions and restore social order.
He pointed out this is a measure all countries in the world would adopt in similar situations.
Currently some professional web sites are already accessible in the region, he added.
In addition, Nur Bekri refuted foreign reports which claimed that women of Uygur were forced to go eastward to work.
"Such reports are completely untrue. Before these women were organized to work in other provinces, we must get permission from their parents and especially themselves," he said.
According to him, the local government spent 300 to 400 million yuan to provide free courses on technology and language for people going to work in other places.
Every year, a total of 100,000 migrant workers from south Xinjiang will be organized to work in other regions to earn more money.
Nur Bekri told reporters that the negative effects left by the riot would be erased "in the shortest time" and the government had the confidence to ensure the fast development of the region's economy.
"Xinjiang is capable of providing a harmonious and safe environment for tourists... The riot will not affect the opening up policy of the region and we sincerely welcome businessmen from home and aboard to invest here," said Nur Bekri.