Ethnic tension flares over syringe attacks in Chinese city of Urumqi

Thousands of angry protesters marched in China’s only Muslim-majority region today to demand government action over a series of hit-and-run syringe attacks blamed on the ethnic Uighur group.

The unrest is certain to unsettle the authorities, coming just weeks after angry Uighurs rampaged through the streets of the city of Urumqi in riots that left 197 dead in the worst violence in China in 50 years.

The Government will be desperate to calm tempers and restore order as the leaders in Beijing are preparing for the Communist Party’s biggest party in a decade to celebrate 60 years of party rule.

One resident of Urumqi said he saw a group of ethnic Han Chinese beating up a man from the Turkic-speaking Muslim Uighur minority, accusing him of being among those suspected of stabbing passers-by with syringes.

A Han Chinese man told The Times: “Thousands of people, maybe tens of thousands gathered in People’s Square today to protest. We don’t believe the Government is doing enough to protect us from these syringe attacks.”

The crowd chanted: “Useless government, useless government” as they milled for hours in the city’s main square.

The boss of the Xinjiang region, Wang Lequan, the Communist Party secretary, made his way to the square and took up a megaphone to appeal to the crowds to disperse quietly. His appearance further inflamed the protesters.

“Wang Lequan resign, Wang Lequan resign,” they shouted. Then another roar erupted. “Wang Lequan is a bastard.” The party secretary swiftly withdrew from the square. The crowd did then begin to thin out.

The party secretary is a hardliner who has governed the region with a grip of iron for 14 years. Many Uighurs, now accounting for less than half the population in a region where they were once in an overwhelming majority, chafe under Chinese rule and a tiny minority even dream of independence from Beijing.

The depth of ethnic tension was underscored by the latest reports of bizarre syringe attacks reported on the streets of Urumqi. Officials say people of all ethnic groups have been hurt and 15 people have been detained for the stabbings. They have given no figure for the number of injured nor a breakdown of their ethnic background.

Several people have been treated in hospital but there have been no reports that anyone has been seriously hurt. The China Daily website said no one had been infected or poisoned by the syringe stabbings.

The Han Chinese resident told The Times: “People are pretty nervous to go out on the streets now. Parents make sure that they accompany their children to and from school to protect them from this kind of attack.”

He said the Government had been too slow to respond. That complaint echoed those that followed the riot that raged through Urumqi on July 5 when angry Uighurs beat, stoned, stabbed and set fire to Han Chinese, killing well over 150 people. Others who died are believed to have been Uighurs killed in revenge attacks or rioters shot by paramilitary armed police.

Hospitals declined to give any details of those injured in the bizarre syringe stabbings. An official at the regional People’s Hospital said: “This is a secret matter. Only the government is authorised to give information.”

However, witnesses said groups of relatives of some of the injured had gathered outside the hospital to wait for news of their loved ones. They were described as extremely agitated.

Zhao Jianzhuang, a Han resident, said he had joined a large crowd of protesters who were being blocked by riot police from marching on central People's Square, less than 1 mile (1.6 km) away.

He said anger was stoked by a perceived delay in trials for those arrested after the July riot, as well as by the recent spate of stabbings. “There are so many security forces deployed here, yet they're incapable of protecting us.” link...

Indian Politician Dies in Helicopter Crash

NEW DELHI — A powerful politician considered an influential player in the ruling Congress Party was found dead on Thursday after his helicopter disappeared in bad weather in southern India.

The wreckage of the helicopter carrying Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, 60, the chief minister of the state of Andhra Pradesh, was discovered after a search following its disappearance Wednesday morning on a flight to the city of Chittor. Four other people also died.

“We are in deep mourning,” said India’s home minister, P. Chidambaram, as he announced the death in New Delhi. “We have a deep sense of shock, grief and loss at the passing away of a chief minister and a tall leader.”

The cause of crash was not known but the helicopter was found charred and broken into several pieces in a remote, hilly area. Initially, rescuers could not locate the crash site because of the rugged terrain and bad weather.

Dr. Reddy, a physician, was recently re-elected as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Reddy entered politics in 1978 and never lost an election. He also served four terms in Parliament.

Andhra Pradesh is infested with Maoist rebels and Dr. Reddy was credited with reducing the level of violence. There was no immediate indication that the helicopter had been attacked. link...

Attack on minister puts focus on Pakistan security

ISLAMABAD — Authorities are holding six suspects in connection with an attack that wounded Pakistan's religious affairs minister and killed his driver, officials said Thursday. Members of his inner circle were among those being questioned.

The attack has raised concern about security in the capital and the ability of Pakistani police to protect top officials.

No group has taken responsibility for Wednesday's gun assault on Hamid Saeed Kazmi, but the minister is a vocal Taliban critic and the Islamist militants are suspected. Authorities have been on alert for revenge attacks following the Aug. 5 killing of Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud in a CIA missile strike.

Kazmi was shot in the leg and was in stable condition, officials said.

The driver of his Toyota Corolla was killed and a guard was wounded in the attack, police said. Authorities said two gunmen on a motorbike were involved in the shooting. They struck seconds after Kazmi's vehicle left his office, witnesses said.

Top officials scrambled Thursday to allay fears of insecurity in the capital.

Islamabad police Chief Kalim Imam said police were investigating leads and expressed optimism that the gunmen would be traced soon. He would not give details of the six suspects, who he said were already in custody.

"This is a crime, and we are going to resolve it very soon," he said.

Imam defended the Islamabad police's performance, saying they had arrested 46 alleged militants in the past three months, including some who wanted to "target key installations" in the city.

Pakistani authorities frequently claim to have rounded up terror suspects, but few are known to ever reach trial.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said two pistols, a Kalashnikov rifle and a black bag were discovered near the scene of the attack. He suggested someone in the minister's office may have given away his movements, but provided no evidence of that claim.

"In such a targeted action, attackers use all their connections," Malik said, adding that those around Kazmi were being questioned.

Malik also said Pakistan's government is trying to get more bulletproof vehicles to transport top officials. link...

Dalai Lama visits typhoon-hit Taiwan

The Dalai Lama began his trip to Taiwan today by insisting his stay was non-political, after China warned that it would damage the island's relations with the mainland.

The exiled spiritual leader offered prayers for recent victims of typhoon Morakot as he kicked off the visit, which has brought together China's two most sensitive territorial issues. Beijing said the trip was "bound to have a negative influence" on recently improved ties across the strait.

The Dalai Lama did not discuss Tibet, although on a visit to a village buried by a mudslide he told reporters he was dedicated to promoting democracy. About 570 people died across the south of the island as Morakot unleashed harsh winds and torrential rain this month.

Beijing usually criticises in harsh terms nations that allow the Dalai Lama to visit, warning that he is a "splittist" who wants Tibetan independence – although he insists he seeks only autonomy. Taiwan is an especially sensitive case because China still claims sovereignty over the self-ruled territory.

But the tone of official comments was low key and China blamed the opposition Democratic Progressive party (DPP), which invited the Dalai Lama, rather than the ruling Kuomintang. The president, Ma Ying-jeou, who engineered the recent thaw with the mainland, approved the trip but will not meet the Buddhist leader.

In December Ma said 2009 would not be an appropriate time for the Dalai Lama to visit. But when the DPP issued the invitation, he faced a choice between risking the anger of Beijing and offering ammunition to his critics, who argue that he has been too concerned with pleasing China and that the government's handling of the typhoon was slow and incompetent. His popularity has been badly dented by the disaster.

"I'm very, very strict, [the trip is of a] non-political nature," the Dalai Lama told reporters. But he added: "We are not seeking separation for Taiwan, but the fate of Taiwan depends on the more than 20 million people [here]. You are enjoying democracy and that you must preserve. I myself am totally dedicated to the promotion of democracy."

He said the island should have "very close and unique links" with the mainland.

Kneeling on the ground above what was once the village of Hsiao-lin, in southern Taiwan, he offered prayers for the estimated 500 people who died in mudslides triggered by Morakot.

"We welcome him and we're very happy that he's here," said Liu Ming-chuan, one of 50 former residents who had returned for the visit.

Prior to his arrival in Taiwan, the Dalai Lama said it was his responsibility to accept the invitation because there were many Buddhists there.

The spokesman for the Taiwan affairs office of China's State Council attacked the DPP for its "ulterior motives to instigate the Dalai Lama, who has long been engaged in separatist activities, to visit Taiwan," according to the state news agency Xinhua.

He added: "We resolutely oppose this ... [His] visit is bound to have a negative influence on the relations between the mainland and Taiwan."

A member of the ruling Kuomintang said the party had sent an official to China to speak to the Taiwan affairs office, but he declined to elaborate on the reason.

About 20 protesters demonstrated outside the Dalai Lama's hotel today, saying the visit was not bringing real disaster relief to Taiwan.

"I love it," the Tibetan spiritual leader told reporters. "It's an indication of freedom of expression. It's wonderful."