China's troubled far-western city of Urumqi has spelt out potential punishments for spreading rumours after days of sometimes deadly unrest and panic about reported syringe attacks that fanned ethnic tensions.
Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang region,has been struggling to return to order after days of panic and protests over claims that Muslim Uighurs used syringes to attack residents, especially members of China's Han ethnic Chinese majority.
Officials have said five people died in the protests, but they have not said how they died.
Security forces used tear gas to break up a crowd of Han Chinese on Sunday,after a fresh needle scare near a wholesale market. Witnesses said three Uighurs were beaten.
The government has cast the alleged syringe attacks as a separatist plot by Uighurs, who call Xinjiang their home-land. Many Uighurs resent government controls on their religion and culture,as well as the growing presence of ethnic Han Chinese.
The Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday that Urumqi authorities said anyone found guilty of injecting others with dangerous substances could face a long prison term or even the death penalty.
Authorities also warned residents they could be jailed for spreading rumours.
"Those who deliberately concoct and spread false information about innocent members of the public being stabbed with needles" could be tried and sentenced to up to five years in jail, it said.
The announcement appeared to be another step in government efforts to restore its authority in Urumqi, after thousands of Han residents took to the streets to demand the ousting of Wang Lequan, the Communist Party secretary of Xinjiang for 14 years.
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