CRI听力: Official: Order Being Restored in Urumqi after Deadly Riot

Urumqi, the capital of China's northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is returning to normal after the deadly riot on July 5th. The local government is working to handle the aftermath of the riots. Officials say mobs that committed violence will be severely punished. CRI's Wang Ling has more.

Reporter:
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Urumqi mayor Jerla Isamudin says the local government is working to ensure daily necessities for local people while trying to maintain order following the riots.

"After the July 5th riots, we have organized related departments to transport rice, flour, edible oil and vegetable to the residents of Urumqi. Since July 7th, major commercial areas including farmers' markets, big supermarkets and gas stations have started to resume normal business."(www.hXen.com)

The mayor says at present the city's utilities including water, electricity and gas are in regular supply. About 80 percent of the city's public transportation has returned to normal.

He also says the government is planning to allocate about 100 million yuan, or nearly 15 million U.S. dollars, to compensate the families of the dead and those injured in the riots.

Li Zhi, the Urumqi Party Chief says the police have arrested the majority of those involved in the region's deadliest riot which killed at least 150 people and injured more than 1,000.

"We have arrested most of the criminal suspects involved in the July 5th riot. Some of them are students who took part in protests and stirred up trouble. These young people are unaware of the truth. They were provoked and cheated by separatists. As for these people who didn't commit serious crimes, we will rely mainly on education as a form of punishment."

Meanwhile, Li Zhi says the rioters that conducted violent acts will be subjected to severe punishment.

"All men are equal in the eyes of the law. Anyone who dares to defy the law, by conducting violent acts such as killing, beating, smashing, looting or burning will be severely punished."

Wang Ling, CRI News.