Life returns to normal in Xinjiang capital

URUMQI - Life gradually returned to normalcy Sunday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang region Sunday, where police have eased traffic restrictions imposed in the wake of public protests.

The city had witnessed widespread protests in the past several days after many people were stabbed by syringes. Five people were killed and at least 14 people injured in the protests.

Vehicles and streams of people were also back in the streets in the city’s downtown area.

Affected by the public unrest, small businesses in Urumqi were still in doldrums. A shoe shop owner said although there were some customers, the shop’s revenue fell to 1,000 yuan a day from over 7,000 yuan before the riot.

“The business has been slack since July, when the monthly sales was only 600 yuan. I plan to clear the stock and leave Xinjiang,” said a shop owner, a native from east China’s Jiangsu province.

Security presence in the city remained heavy Sunday. Hundreds of Armed Police were seen in the People Square at the city centre. Police were still blocking Xinmin Road, which links to a viaduct leading to the southern part of the city, an area densely populated by Uighur people.

Xinjiang regional governor Nur Bekri said Sunday that the regional government would send thousands of officials to communities in Urumqi to help resolve disputes and maintain social order.