Chinese security official vows harsh punishment for terrorists

Meng Jianzhu (2nd L F), head of the Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China, inspects the crime scene at the Kunming Railway Station in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, March 2, 2014. At least 29 innocent people were killed and more than 130 others injured during a terrorist attack at the railway station Saturday night. (Xinhua/Hao Fan)

Senior Chinese security official Meng Jianzhu on Sunday pledged to harshly punish terrorist attackers in accordance with law to ensure social stability.

Meng, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, arrived in Kunming at 5:30 a.m. to oversee the anti-terrorism work following a deadly train station attack on Saturday night.

Twenty-nine innocent people died, and more than 130 were injured in Kunming Railway Station terrorist attack as of 8:00 a.m. Sunday.

Meng said the attack caused big losses to people's lives and property. The terrorists were devoid of conscience, brutally attacked unarmed civilians, exposed their anti-humanity and anti-society nature and they should be harshly punished according to law, he said.

"All-out efforts should be made to treat the injured people, severely punish terrorist attackers according to law, and resolutely avoid the occurrence of similar cases, so as to ensure the safety of people's lives and property and social stability," Meng said.

Meng ordered use of all resources and means to thoroughly investigate the case and urged forcible measures to crack down on the violent terrorism activities.

Meng called for a sweeping check-up for hidden risks regarding violent terrorist attacks, urging to step up patrols at crowded places and harshly crack down on violent crimes to improve the sense of security among the public.

Meng visited the crime scene at the station square and also went to hospital to visit injured civilians and families of the deceased in the terrorist attack.

Meng expressed sympathy and condolences to the injured civilians and families of the dead and urged timely treatment for the injured and assistance for the families of the deceased.

Guo Shengkun, Chinese state councilor and minister of public security, has also arrived in Kunming to guide work regarding the case.