Beijing: China on Saturday banned wearing veils or growing "abnormal" beards in Xinjiang as part of a major crackdown aimed at curbing "religious extremism" in the restive Uygur Muslim majority province.
According to law, which came into effect on Sunday, special task forces to curb extremism would be set up at regional, prefectural and county governments and local leaders would be evaluated annually for their localities' achievements on the matter.
The law bans a wide range of acts including wearing veils or "abnormal" beards, without specifying the term.
It will also be illegal to refuse to watch state television and listen to state radio, or prevent children from receiving national education activities deemed "manifestations" of extremism, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.
The regulation were passed by the Xinjiang legislature's standing committee.
The province is restive for several years due to the resentment by Uygurs over increasing settlements of Han population from other provinces.
China blames separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), an Al Qaeda affiliated group, for the spate of violent attacks in and out of the province.
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