Urumqi mayor gives new briefing on latest situation

Authorities in Urumqi say they are making efforts to return the city to normal, maintaining supplies of essential goods and services. On Wednesday evening, the mayor of Urumqi gave a briefing on the latest situation there.

The mayor of Urumqi Jerla Isamudin says the July 5th riot severely disrupted normal lives and social order in the city. He says the situation is now under control and the government has set up a group to deal with the aftermath of the riot.

Jerla Isamudin said, The special group's responsibilities include communicating with the victim's families and evaluating the financial losses caused by the riot. The work of comforting and compensating victims has started. The government expects to allocate around 100-million yuan to deal with the aftermath of the riot. The identification of those who were killed is continuing.

Jerla Isamudin said, Damaged roads are being repaired. Water, electricity and gas supplies are being maintained. Television and radio are broadcasting normally. And 80 percent of public transport and taxis have resumed, except restricted areas.

The mayor said shops, supermarkets and even some restaurants opened Wednesday afternoon.

The city's party secretary, Li Zhi, reiterated that Sunday's riot incident was not an ethnic issue. He accused the separatist group led by Rebiya Kadeer of orchestrating the violence and said terrorism, separatism and extremism were behind the riots. Li Zhi said the violence was intended to disrupt social stability and ethnic unity.

Li Zhi said, The overwhelming majority of the suspects involved in the deadly riot have been arrested. Some of them are students. Most of these youngsters were unaware of the truth. If they did not play a major role in the violence, they will be released. As for those who took part in the riot, the government will punish them according to the law. Brutal criminals will be sentenced to death.

Li called on all ethnic groups remain calm and restrained to maintain normal order of the city.