Ban on Ramadan worsens ethnic unrest – raid kills 18

Chinese Uighur Muslims have attacked a police checkpoint with knives and bombs, leading to the death of at least 18 people as tensions reached breaking point over official curbs on Ramadan.

The violence in Kashgar, China’s westernmost city, came as authorities tried to restrict observance of the Muslim holy month. State employees have been ordered to ignore the religious fast and Muslim restaurants have been told to remain open.

The authorities are increasingly nervous about Muslim extremism in Xinjiang, China’s vast northwest province, and have tried to confront the problem with an iron fist.

Tensions between Uighurs and the majority Han Chinese have led to bloodshed on numerous occasions, with hundreds killed in violence for which Beijing blames Islamist militants.

The attack on police was reported by Radio Free Asia, a United States-based broadcaster. No mention of it was made on Chinese media as censors often stop reports about violence in Xinjiang.

A police officer described how the attack began when a car sped through a police checkpoint on the outskirts of Kashgar. The vehicle then reversed and hit an unarmed traffic policeman, breaking his leg, before two passengers leapt out and attacked him with knives.

Three more attackers arrived and used explosives against the checkpoint and police cars. Police later shot dead 15 suspects, while at least three police officers also died, according to reports.

Lu Kang, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, could not immediately verify the report. ‘‘But if it is correct, the Chinese Government has the responsibility to take resolute steps to stop these kinds of violent terror acts to maintain peace and stability in Xinjiang,’’ he said.

Ramadan is a particularly sensitive time in Xinjiang. State media have published official notices again this year demanding that Communist party members, civil servants, students and teachers in particular do not observe it. The authorities are reported to have ordered Muslim shops and restaurants in one town to open and to sell alcohol and cigarettes. Last week a county in southern Xinjiang held a beer festival in what was described as an open provocation, as Muslims are not supposed to drink alcohol.