New Delhi: In a rapid escalation of violence, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests are likely to keep the city paralysed for the third straight day, noted a Reuters report. The city police also said that the recent episode of violent protests has brought the island to the “brink of total breakdown”.
These protests turned violent after the police used live fire Friday that led to the death of a 22-year-old local protesters, who is being seen as the first casualty.
Most university campuses, schools, major roads and metro stations were closed on Wednesday morning as clashes between the police and protesters continued. The city has been in this state of paralysis since Monday.
Violent clashes between police and protesters
“Around 1,000 protesters blocked roads in the heart of the city’s Central business district during the lunchtime rush hour. Wearing now-banned face masks and dressed in office wear, they marched and hurled bricks onto roads lined with some of the world’s most expensive real estate and luxury flagship stores,” reported Reuters.
The police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds, it added.
This is arguably the most violent phase of these protests — almost 128 protesters were hospitalised, including a protester who had set himself on fire.
However, what really shook the city were reported clashes between the police and protesters at university campuses. “On Tuesday, pitched battles raged throughout the night. Fires blazed on campus and there was widespread destruction as riot police used tear gas, even as the university’s vice-chancellor tried to negotiate between students and authorities,” reported the Financial Times.
Given the blockage of major roads and metro, commuters have struggled to go on with their daily lives.
What did the police and Beijing government say?
“Over the past two days, our society has been pushed to the brink of a total breakdown as rioters went on a rampage in residential neighbourhoods and university campuses,” said Kong Wing-cheung, Hong Kong police’s senior superintendent.
“Rule of law has been pushed to the brink of total collapse as mass rioters recklessly escalate their violence under the false hope that they can get away with it,” he added.
Reacting to growing violence in Hong Kong, Beijing said “mob behavior would not be tolerated”. Last month, after the central committee of the Chinese Communist party met, the leaders had hinted at the adoption of “tougher measures” if necessary.