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UIGHUR TRADERS CLASHED WITH CHINESE POLICE IN URUMCHI
[East Turkistan Information Center, 2001/08/13]
One Uighur man was arrested and several injured, including a young Uighur woman, during the conflict occurred between Chinese tax collectors and Uighurs selling fruits in the Sanshihangzi market in the city of Urumchi.
The incident took place when a group of tax collectors tried to confiscate the merchandise of one old Uighur fruit seller. The seller insisted on paying the tax but failed to convince the tax collectors.
One Chinese officer became angry on the old man's insistence and hit him with a fist. This violent behavior of the Chinese officer caused discontent of the people around and one Uighur woman threw a fruit at the tax collectors. The tax collectors turned their anger to the woman and seriously beat her up.
By this time more and more people began to throw fruits at the Chinese officials.
Shortly after, about 11 policeman arrived to the spot to defend the tax collectors and confronted the Uighur. After a short clash resulting in several Uighurs injured, one young Uighur man was arrested.
Later, a crowd of an estimated 450 people gathered in front of the local police station and demanded immediate release of the detained person.
The protesters sat right on the door steps of the police station.
The crowd sent 4 representatives inside the station to obtain information on the detained person and to receive the explanation of the police authorities on the violent and inappropriate behavior of the tax collectors.
The four Uighurs came back with no explanations given. Shortly after a group of police officers dispersed the crowd. A police photographer was taking pictures of the protesters.
The Sanshihangzi market is known as an Uighur bazaar. The famous Uighur business woman Rabiya Kadir, who was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for the alleged leaking of state secrets to foreigners, became a millionaire by doing business through this market.
The surrounding area is inhabited primarily by Uighurs, and the most of the shops are run by Uighurs. The market is also full of small traders who sell their merchandise right from the floor. Such small traders wonder from place to place, and for this reason, they might be forced by tax collectors to pay fees several
times.
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ETIC REPORT 2000 
