Urumqi (China), Sep 6 (Xinhua) Life gradually returned to normalcy Sunday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang region Sunday, where police have eased traffic restrictions imposed in the wake of public protests.

The city had witnessed widespread protests in the past several days after many people were stabbed by syringes. Five people were killed and at least 14 people injured in the protests.

Vehicles and streams of people were also back in the streets in the city's downtown area.

Affected by the public unrest, small businesses in Urumqi were still in doldrums. A shoe shop owner said although there were some customers, the shop's revenue fell to 1,000 yuan a day from over 7,000 yuan before the riot.