45 injured in Hong Kong Violence as Police fires tear gas on protesters
More than 45 people have been admitted to hospital after violence erupted in various parts of Hong Kong on Sunday night, i.e., July 21, 2019, compelling Police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets at protestors.
Masked men, dressed in White T-Shirts and carrying batons, stormed the Hong Kong Metro Railway Station in the District of Yuen Long at 22:30 hours local time and attacked people on platform and those inside train carriages.
The mass unrest came after tens of thousands of people took to the street for 7th consecutive week, raising their voice against the now-suspended extradition bill. The Administration believes that organised crime gangs, who usually operate in the outer areas of the city, are creating this trouble.
A media statement from the Government read, “Some people congregated at the platforms of the MTR station and train compartments, attacking commuters. This is absolutely unacceptable to Hong Kong as a society that observes the rule of law. The SAR [Special Administrative Region] Government strongly condemns any violence and will seriously take enforcement actions.”
Earlier in the day, the demonstrations began on a peaceful note when people gathered at Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island and started their march towards Wan Chai, a busy commercial area. As per the organisers, Civil Human Rights Front, there were 4,38,000 protestors. However, the police say there were 1,38,000 protestors.
But things turned hostile when some protestors defied police orders and went beyond the designated end point towards the Chinese Government’s liaison office. They violent mob spray-painted slogans on walls and defaced its emblem. One of the slogans read, “You taught us peaceful marches are useless.”
In order to control the mob, the police had to fire tear gas. Civil Human Rights Front has demanded an independent investigation and the immediate release of those who were held by police for indulging into violence.
The Official Twitter Handle of Hong Kong Police Force read, “At around 8 PM, following public announcements, the Police embarked on a clearance operation, during which the building of the Central Police Station was under attack.”
At around 8 PM, following public announcements, the Police embarked on a clearance operation, during which the building of the Central Police Station was under attack.
— Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) July 21, 2019
It further tweeted, “While the Police’s cordon line was sweeping eastward through Sheung Wan, some protestors threw such objects as bricks and petrol bombs at the Police. Despite repeated warnings by the Police, the violence did not abate. Therefore, the Police used tear gas at around 10 PM.”
While the Police’s cordon line was sweeping eastward through Sheung Wan, some protestors threw such objects as bricks and petrol bombs at the Police. Despite repeated warnings by the Police, the violence did not abate. Therefore, the Police used tear gas at around 10 PM.
— Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) July 21, 2019
For the records, the protests were 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.
Besides, on Friday, i.e., July 19, 2019, the police had arrested 3 men in a raid where they seized 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of high-powered explosives, including Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) and various weapons were uncovered. Several Leaflets linked to anti-extradition bill protests were also there at site.
Following this, on Saturday, i.e., July 20, 2019, people held a march supporting the Government and the Police and requesting all to promote peace.
