Uncertainty stalks Urumqi residents after needle stabbings

URUMQI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Uncertainty was still stalking the streets of Urumqi, in western China, Friday morning despite heavy security and patrolling helicopters in the sky in the wake of a wave of hypodermic needle stabbings and massive protests.

Helicopters were seen hovering over the city Friday morning, the second time here since the July 5 riot that left 197 people dead.

"I bought a lot of food today. Who knows what will happen next," said Luo Huanzhang, who just returned from a regular morning outdoor market on the Guangming Road.

The market was crowded and many people intended to stock up groceries, Luo said. Residents also keep their forays into public places short.

"I don't know whether I should go to work," said an employee with the Xinjiang branch of China Life Insurance (Group) Company, who only offered his surname of Tang.

Traffic controls imposed at 9 p.m. Thursday banned vehicles on major roads in downtown areas such as Youhao Road, Guangming Road and Renmin Square.

People have to walk or cycle, but many chose to stay at home.

Bedclothes seller Chen, 28, said she closed her shop on Wednesday as protests against the needle attacks people flared up.

"People were so upset and unnerved recently. Doing business was almost impossible," said Chen.

"My friends kept asking me to return to my hometown and I'm still thinking about it," said Chen, who has lived in the city for 26 years since arriving with her parents from Chongqing, in southwest China.

"My career is rooted here, I don't want to leave," said Zhang Shiying, who runs a construction material shop in the city's northern area.

Zhang, a native of Beijing, opened his business in Urumqi 14 years ago.

The Experimental Primary School of Urumqi was closed Friday and it was unclear when it would resume classes on Monday, said a teacher who declined to be named.