Three hurt in knife attack in China's Xinjiang

Ray

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Three hurt in knife attack in China's Xinjiang


Authorities have stepped up their security presence in Xinjiang after a series of violent attacks

Chinese authorities have arrested a knife-wielding man who injured three people waiting at a bus stop in Xinjiang, local media say.

The incident took place in the region's capital, Urumqi, on Monday night.

No information has been released on the attacker's identity or motivation.

But Xinjiang, which borders Central Asia, has seen a spate of attacks in recent months, amid tension between its minority Muslim Uighur population and Han Chinese residents.

Chinese authorities have responded with an expanded security presence and a crackdown, arresting hundreds and executing dozens.

CCTV reported on Monday that the attack happened at 19:50 (11:50 GMT). Police officers were on patrol nearby, and got to the scene "within seconds".

Pictures released by the national broadcaster showed officers holding down a man in the middle of a busy road amid traffic. None of the victims received life-threatening injuries, reports said.



Urumqi has seen a number of attacks this year. In May, at least 31 people were killed and more than 90 were injured when two cars crashed through an Urumqi market and explosives were tossed into the crowd.

It followed a bomb and knife attack at Urumqi's south railway station in April, which killed three and injured 79 others.

Beijing blames the violence on Uighur separatists inspired or supported by overseas extremists groups. Activists say China's policies towards Uighurs are repressive and are fuelling significant resentment.

BBC News - Three hurt in knife attack in China's Xinjiang
The problem with China is that they want to make all Han and follow Han ways.

While the reality is that the Uighurs are ethnically Turkic Muslims, who make up about 45% of Xinjiang's population while 40% are Han Chinese.

China re-established control in 1949 after crushing short-lived state of East Turkestan.

Since then, there has been large-scale immigration of Han Chinese and Uighurs fear erosion of traditional culture. They have good reasons since Urumqi has 75.3% of Han and only 12.79% Uighurs according to the 2000 census.

Xinjiang has been rocked with attacks on the Han people who have flooded Xinjiang and are the only ones who are picking the fruits of the land, so to say. Obviously, that has upset the natives of the land - the Uighurs. Worse is that they are not allowed to practice their religion and the rituals, which is a sore issue for the Muslims.

Terrorism has come to stay and with the manner in which China handling this issue, it will not oly stay but will flourish to inflict greater woes on China.

The Chinese must realise that the Uighur Muslim people are pacifists like the Tibetan Buddhists.
 

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