The new policy paper by China reveals that its government had reportedly arrested 13000 terrorists from its Xinjiang province and disassembled around 1500 terror gangs since 2014. China is facing criticism for imposing objectionable security measures against the Uighur Muslim population of Xinjiang province.
The arrests were made in the restive far western region of Xinjiang province, a state with a considerable Muslim population. The announcement was made in a policy paper defending staunch ‘deradicalisation’ methods adopted by China to rein in its Uighur population. The Chinese authorities claim that they have struck the right balance between compassion and severity.
The new policy paper which is titled as “The Fight against Terrorism and Extremism and Human Rights Protection in Xinjiang” is yet another attempt by China to defend its brutal policies pursued against the Uighur Muslims. The policy paper is released by the State Council Information Office and it says, “The dignity of people belonging to various ethnic groups in Xinjiang has been crushed by the influence wielded by the separatists, religious extremists, and terrorists. The increasing number of terror attacks have adversely affected the life and property of the people.”
China is facing opprobrium from the United Nations for pursuing harsh policies against the Uighur Muslim population in Xinjiang. Damning reports blaming Beijing of interning members of its Muslim population – by “re-educating” them away from their faith have emerged. It is believed that China has resorted to this measure as a response to riots and violent attacks that the government has endured recently at the hands of Muslim separatists in the Xinjiang province. In these detention centers, Muslims are allegedly compelled to unlearn their traditions, pan their Islamic practices and extend their loyalty to Xi Jinping’s Communist Party.
However, China had refuted the allegations stating that the ‘detention centers’ are nothing but “vocational training centers” and “campuses” for imparting skills and deradicalising those influenced by extremism. With the release of this new policy paper, China seeks to assuage the growing concerns expressed by International Organisations against the unjust measures adopted by them against the vulnerable minority groups.
The Chinese authorities have stated in the paper that due to their policies implemented since 2014, 1588 violent and terrorist gangs have been dismantled, 12995 arrested and about 2052 explosive devices impounded. It also claims that 30645 people were punished for 4858 illegal religious activities and 345,229 copies of illegal religious materials were confiscated.