Urumqi syringe attacks are 'terror events': Officials

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-10 07:52

URUMQI: The recent syringe attacks in Urumqi are being called "terror attacks" by regional officials.

"They aimed to unsettle the city's atmosphere," said Yan Yuxing, former president of Urumqi Municipal Intermediate People's Court.

The attacks, which targeted innocent people in the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, were not practical jokes or simple crimes perpetrated by one individual but organized and planned stabbings that disturbed the social order and created an atmosphere of fear, said Du Xintao, an official with the regional Public Security Department.

Local authorities said late on Tuesday another four suspects involved in the syringe attacks were prosecuted on Monday, bringing the number prosecuted to eight. Police have caught 45 suspects during the scare.

Du said they were not ordinary crimes but crimes against society.

To tackle the crisis, the government has posted guards in public places like buses, schools and hospitals.

The health department is treating victims. No deaths have been reported, nor have there been any cases needing anti-viral drugs, said an official with the regional center of disease control and prevention.

The government also held several press conferences and published several public notices since Sept 2 informing the public about the attacks and promising to punish the attackers.

Urumqi residents welcomed the government's transparency about the syringe attacks.

"I think it is really good the government keeps us up to date on the latest developments. It has made me feel safe walking in the streets again," florist Ma Yue told China Daily Wednesday.

Local residents are calling for quick court hearings for the attackers.

"Only a decisive move can deter these criminals from harming innocent people," said Zhao Tingting, a shopkeeper in her 30s. "I think the government has effectively done that. I haven't heard of any attacks in days."

"Stability is most important. We're waiting to see the criminals punished," said Hou Changwu, a retired man living in Qinghai Road.

He said the police presence has been safeguarding the community, which made him feel safer.

China Daily-Xinhua