Family member of dead in factory brawl condemns Xinjiang riot

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-08 02:11

KASHGAR: A family member of a Uygur man who died in a toy factory brawl, which is said to have spurred the deadly riot in Xinjiang on Sunday, has joined injured workers in condemning the riot.

Patigul, 20, an elder sister of the victim Aximujiang Ahmad, told Xinhua Tuesday she was heartbroken when knowing many families lost their loved ones in the riot. "The murders must be punished."

She made the remarks one day after Uygur workers who injured in the brawl in south China's Guangdong Province on June 26 condemned the riot in Urumqi.

She said her family were grieved about the death of Aximujiang. However, some people staged the violence in Urumqi on the excuse of supporting Aximujiang.

The father and mother of Patigul died in 1995 and 2001. Patigul said Aximujiang and the other younger brother received much help from local officials, relatives and neighbors. The two brothers finished junior middle school with funding from the local government of Shufu County in Kashgar.

The people who used the death of her brother to stage the violence have ulterior motives, said Patigul.

The body of Aximujiang Ahmad was sent back to his hometown by plane on June 29, and was buried on the same day, she added.

Injured Uygur workers in the brawl who were receiving treatment in a hospital in Shaoguan, Guangdong, denounced the Urumqi riot Monday.

"The rioters used our injuries as an excuse for their violence, " said Atigul Turdi, a 24-year-old woman worker who was injured in the brawl. "I firmly opposed the violence in the name of taking revenge for us."

"I believe the government will handle the brawl appropriately," Atigul Turdi said. "Why did the rioters destroy our beautiful and peaceful Xinjiang region in such cruel manners?"

Two Uygur workers died and 87 Xinjiang Uygur workers were injured in the brawl. Some people posted calls on Internet forums for demonstrations in Urumqi.

Atigul Turdi said she would stay in Guangdong to work after recovery. As one of the first workers to arrive at the factory from Shufu County, Xinjiang, on May 1, she missed the happy days to work with her colleagues harmoniously.

Ebeyjan Ahmad whose arms and head were hurt in the fight was waiting to be discharged from hospital.

He shared the worry with Turdi and chose to work in Shaoguan, too.

Police have detained 15 suspects in connection with the factory fight.

Government officials said the factory fight was used as an excuse for the riot in Urumqi, which killed at least 156 people and injured more than 1,000 others.