China's restive Xinjiang province witnessed violent attacks for the third day even as China today hit out at the US for criticising its policies in the oil-rich region by alleging discrimination against Muslim Uygurs.
State-run Xinhua news agency in brief reported today said a violent attack took place in a pedestrian street in downtown Hotan City, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Earlier, at least 24 people have been killed by rioters in a violent terrorist attack in a remote town in Shanshan County in the province on Wedenesday, the state-run Xinhua news agency said.
Among the victims, 16 were from the Uygur ethnic group. The rioters attacked the township's police stations, a local government building and a construction site, as well as set fire to police cars.
Xinjiang is witnessing bloody riots in the past few years between Uygur Muslims who resent the increasing settlements of Hans in the province.