Xinjiang cadres try to quell unrest ahead of July 5 anniversary
Senior officials arrive in 50 townships to quell unrest ahead of anniversary of July 5 violence; police detain people who 'spread rumours'
Xinjiang authorities have sent senior officials to 50 townships where ethnic tensions are believed to be high, as part of ongoing efforts to quell unrest in the region ahead of the fourth anniversary of the July 5 riots.
Security in the restive region's capital Urumqi has also been tightened, with several teams of paramilitary police visible in People's Square in the centre of the city yesterday.
The officers, dressed in riot gear and armed with machine-guns, were deployed alongside trucks from the army and civilian special police.
Local residents, organised by the authorities, checked the bags of "suspicious" people at bus stops.
Xinjiang's official news portal Tianshannet reported that all 50 of the officials had arrived at their destinations on Tuesday to "take resolute measures to stop the trend of frequent, violent terrorist attacks and to ensure the stability of Xinjiang society for the time being".
Some 35 people were killed in violent clashes in Xinjiang last week.
At a meeting with the selected officials on Monday Xinjiang's deputy party chief Han Yong asked them to highlight laws and government policies related to ethnic unity, "be proactive in quashing rumours" and ensure their message reaches every household.