A sweep on illegal religious activity in China’s far western Xinjiang region has resulted in 190 children being rescued, along with the detention of dozens of other people.

Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur people, has been beset for years by violence from Islamist militants and separatists.

Hundreds have died in violence in the past 18 months, prompting a sweeping crackdown by the government, including on religious activities.

Last month the government rescued 82 children in Xinjiang’s capital Urumqi from religious schools known as madrassas.

In recent days there had been another sweep in Urumqi and a total of 85 people have been detained and 190 children taken out of the illegal establishments.

Children are prohibited by the government from attending madrassas, prompting parents who wish to provide a religious education to use underground schools.

Exiled Uighur groups say government controls on Islam have provoked unrest, a claim Beijing denies.