According to The Hong Kong Journalist's Association's chair Mak Yin-ting not only were journalists the victim of beatings but the police blamed them for inciting public disorder. In September Han Chinese went into the streets of Urumqi to protest syringe attacks. The series of attacks have been blamed on the Uighur Muslims that also reside in the area. Covering the attacks was TVB reporter Lam Tsz-ho and his camera crew. Footage showed the crowd dealing with tear gas that riot police used to break up the demonstration. Footage also showed the police roughing up Tsz-ho and his crew. The three were detained for three hours after being beaten. Xinjiang official Hou Hanmin also blamed the journalists for the unrest and said they were working without permits according to CBC.