The crackdown follows the discovery of 46 illegal wells in other areas of Xinjiang, many dug by Han Chinese settlers for cotton and vegetable farming….reports Asian Lite News
Chinese authorities have shut down water wells dug by Uyghur farmers in three villages near the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, citing them as illegal, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA). The closures occurred in Yopurgha County’s villages, including Achchiq, where the population is predominantly Uyghur.
Videos shared by Zumrat Dawut, a former Uyghur detainee now based in the US, show authorities filling in wells dug by local farmers to address the region’s water scarcity. Dawut, who monitors evidence of repression in Xinjiang, said these actions are damaging to the community’s livelihood.
The crackdown follows the discovery of 46 illegal wells in other areas of Xinjiang, many dug by Han Chinese settlers for cotton and vegetable farming. However, authorities have reportedly not acted against those wells, raising concerns of discriminatory enforcement.
The closures have forced residents to rely on state-run water supplies, raising concerns over resource access and discriminatory policies in the region.
Local officials confirmed the closure of wells in multiple villages and acknowledged that residents are now required to buy water from the state-run Production and Construction Corps (Bingtuan). These developments have intensified fears over the worsening strain on water access for Uyghur communities.
Xinjiang, known for its arid climate, has faced growing tensions over water resource management, further compounding challenges for its Uyghur population.
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