Hong Kong protesters warned of dreaded consequences
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong – Carrie Lam has warned the protestors of treading on a dangerous path after the latter launched a citywide strike on Monday, i.e., August 5, 2019, blocking main roads, stopping commuters from entering train and attacking Government buildings.
Although demonstrations have been running for 9 consecutive weeks, this is for the first time that demonstrations have extended to 5 Districts simultaneously. These include Tin Shui Wai, Wong Tai Sin, Admiralty / Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Tai Po.
The Hong Kong Police arrested 82 protestors today, which the highest figure in terms of arrests, since the protests started in June 2019. More than 420 people have been arrested over 9 consecutive weeks of protest.
At 7:30 p.m. local time, the protesters started a large fire outside a police station in Sha Tin, a residential area in Northern Hong Kong. Firefighters arrived at the scene and put it out.
Nathan Road, which is one of the biggest road of Hong Kong, has been completely blocked by the protestors. Protesters have also reoccupied a road in the shopping District of Mong Kok, near Argyle Road. There are clashes between police and protestors at Causeway Bay and Tin Shui, among others.
The protestors also blocked the entry to the commuter trains. They also tried to block traffic, causing brief congestion. According to the organisers, Civil Human Rights Front, more than 14,000 people participated in protests across different Districts in Hong Kong.
Protesters also threw eggs and bricks at various Government buildings. The police also arrested a 36-year-old Filipino and a 26-year-old South Korean for taking part in the protest. They are the first two foreigners arrested for taking part in protests. The police had to use 300 non-lethal bullets and around 1,000 tear gas to main law and order across Hong Kong.
Addressing a Press Conference, Carrie Lam said, “The protestors challenge ‘one country, two systems’ and threaten Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. The government will be resolute in maintaining law and order of Hong Kong and restoring confidence.”
Apart from this, Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong’s biggest airline has cancelled more than 150 flights due to ongoing public unrest. It has also urged passengers to postpone their non-essential travel. Cathay Pacific has a customer base of 34 million passengers every year and serves nearly 200 cities around the world. Besides, Hong Kong Airlines has also cancelled 32 flights.
According to the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, more than 2,300 aviation workers took part in the citywide strike. Out of this, 1,200 protestors are employees of Cathay Pacific.
For the records, the protests are triggered by the controversial extradition bill which if implemented, would have allowed China, Taiwan and Macau to place extradition request for suspects accused of criminal wrongdoings. The requests would have then been decided on a case-by-case basis. The Hong Kong Courts would have the right to make the final decision. However, owing to mass unrest, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong – Carrie Lam later announced that the Government has suspended the controversial extradition bill.
