CHINA> Regional
Mobs in Xinjiang riot face severe punishment
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-07 14:08

URUMQI: A Xinjiang official Tuesday vowed severe punishment for the mob in the "deadliest riot since New China was founded in 1949".

Sunday's riot in Urumqi has killed 156 people and injured more than 1,000, the largest number of casualties in any single incident of its kind in six decades.

"The rioters violated laws and harmed the fundamental interests of all Chinese ethnic groups," said Li Zhi, Communist Party of China (CPC) chief of Urumqi.

Related readings:
Mobs in Xinjiang riot face severe punishment Order restored in Urumqi after carnage kills 156
Mobs in Xinjiang riot face severe punishment Police arrests 1,434 suspects in Xinjiang riot
Mobs in Xinjiang riot face severe punishment Internet cut in Xinjiang to 'prevent spread of riot'
Mobs in Xinjiang riot face severe punishment Protestors surround foreign reporters in Xinjiang
Mobs in Xinjiang riot face severe punishment Ravaged by riot, Xinjiang's capital in horror
Police in Xinjiang have arrested 1,434 suspects over Sunday's deadly riot, including 1,379 men and 55 women. They are said to have conducted violent acts of killing, beating, smashing, looting and burning.

While those under arrest might be released if no serious criminal records were found, Li said authorities would not let pass those who were still at large.