Vice Minister of Public Security Liu Jinguo has ordered police to launch a month-long campaign to combat social disorder in rural areas.

Police at all levels should focus their efforts in the following one month on inspection and examination of the extent of social disorder in rural areas to safeguard the security of rural residents, Liu said at a tele-conference on rural security work on Thursday.

"Fugitive criminals and underworld gangs, those who steal rural production materials, produce or sell fake and substandard commodities, kidnap children and women and smuggle drugs, explosives and guns will be targeted," Liu said.

He also required the police to crack down on illegal religions and evil cults.

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2007)