Hong Kong Police Arrest over 200 People as Violence Escalates
Over 200 people involved in violence and unlawful assemblies have been arrested said the Hong Kong police.
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Over 200 people involved in violence, possession of weapons, damage to property and unlawful assemblies have been arrested said the Hong Kong police on Sunday.
The country is witnessing one of the worst outbreaks of violence. Demonstrators are showing their anger at China for meddling with Hong Kong’s freedom since the city returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
The police had to employ tear gas to break up an assembly of thousands on Saturday afternoon, reported Global News.
Police have seized offensive weapons including 188 petrol bombs, several extendable batons and pepper sprays.
A number of people indulged in violence and vandalism throughout Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. Many thoroughfares were blocked, petrol bombs and bricks were hurled at police officers, shops burned down. Some rioters even attacked passers-by, and placed nails on roads, threatening the safety of the commuters, reported Xinhua.
“Police reiterate that no violent behaviour will be tolerated. Police will continue to take resolute enforcement action so as to safeguard the city's public safety and bring all lawbreakers to justice,” the police said, quoted the media report.
Xinhua news agency strongly condemned the “barbaric acts of mobs” that had vandalized and set fire to the lobby of its Asia-Pacific office building in the city, reported AP.
Hong Kong’s government said on Sunday its Chief Executive Carrie Lam will head to Beijing on Tuesday to hold talks with Vice Premier Han Zheng. This meeting will focus on the development of the Greater Bay Area that aims to link Hong Kong, Macau and nine other cities in southern China, reported AP.
(With inputs from AP, Xinhua, Global News)
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