Ghulja incident

Xinjiang was subject to armed clashes and terrorist attacks throughout the 1990s by secessionist militants particularly the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). These include 1992 Ürümqi bombings, with attacks escalating in 1995. In 1996, the government of the People's Republic of China initiated a "Strike Hard" campaign to crack down on suspected separatist activity. The Uyghur meshrep cultural tradition became a target of the "Strike Hard" campaign. ==Incident==

On February 5, 1997, demonstrations occurred with crowds chanting "Allahu Akbar" and "Independence for Xinjiang". Local Uyghurs reported that the march came in response to a government prohibition against gathering for the meshrep. According to a local police official, the crowd initially numbered in the dozens, but quickly swelled in size. The crowd was reportedly dispersed by police using clubs, water cannon, and tear gas. Official reports stated that 10 people, including a police officer, were killed. 198 people including security forces were injured. Uyghur human rights groups stated that approximately 200 were killed. ==Aftermath==

According to Sanlian Lifeweek, a number of participants in the demonstration and riots had arrived from Kashgar and Hotan. During incarceration, Chinese officials have visited Guantanamo to participate in interrogations. carried out in the years immediately following the incident in Xinjiang. Rebiya Kadeer, who was present during the Ghulja incident, went on to become leader of the World Uyghur Congress. According to Radio Free Asia, many Uyghurs who were arrested or detained on charges related to the incident have been sent to internment camps since 2017. Witnesses of the incident as well as family members, friends, and associates of those involved have also been allegedly rounded up and imprisoned. ==See also==