Protesters face round shots, blue-coloured water cannon as civil unrest gets worse in Hong Kong
The civil unrest in Hong Kong continues to get worse with protestors succeeding in blocking the transport links to the Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday, i.e., September 1, 2019.
Owing to a Court Injunction which prohibits protesters from entering Airport, the police was present in large number near the Airport who blocked the protestors from getting to the Airport Terminal. But the protestors managed to block roads leading to Airport, compelling the city’s subway operator to suspend its airport service.
The official twitter handle of Hong Kong Police read, “At around 4PM, a large group of protestors hurled numerous iron poles, bricks and rocks into the track near the Airport Station. Some even trespassed on the track, seriously obstructing train services.”
At around 4PM, a large group of protestors hurled numerous iron poles, bricks and rocks into the track near the Airport Station. Some even trespassed on the track, seriously obstructing train services.
— Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) September 1, 2019
It further tweeted, “The Police will soon conduct a dispersal operation and warn the protestors to stop their illegal acts and leave immediately.”
The Police will soon conduct a dispersal operation and warn the protestors to stop their illegal acts and leave immediately.
— Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) September 1, 2019
A day before on Saturday, i.e., August 31, 2019, thousands of people took to the streets to mark the 5th anniversary of China banning the democratic elections in Hong Kong. The police turned violent while handling protestors at an underground metro stations of the Prince Edward Mongkok and Kowloon Bay, where they hit the protestors with batons and pepper spray.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: https://twitter.com/i/status/1168077169941069824
A statement from the Hong Kong Government said that protesters committed arson and hurled miscellaneous objects and iron railings onto railway tracks, thereby impacting the safety of other passengers. However, a few people complained that police entered the train coaches and started hitting people randomly, which included both protestors and passengers. Post this, the Prince Edward Mongkok and Kowloon Bay Metro Stations have been closed.
In another incident, protestors chanting slogans like ‘Stand with Hong Kong’ and ‘Fight for Freedom’ gathered outside the Government offices, the local headquarters of China’s People’s Liberation Army, Legislative Council and the Office of the Admiralty and Marine Affairs. The protestors also threw petrol bombs at Wan Chai Police Station. In response, the police attacked them with tear gas, rubber bullets and blue-dyed water cannon.The coloured liquid is used by police to identify protesters.
Besides, the police had to fire live warning shots to take control of the situation.
Speaking on the occasion, one of the protestor, Eric, a 22-year-old student, said, “Telling us not to protest is like telling us not to breathe. I feel it’s my duty to fight for democracy. Maybe we win, maybe we lose, but we fight.”
For the records, the protests have been 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.
