City
Epaper

Police fire water cannon, teargas as Hong Kong protest heats up

By ANI | Updated: August 31, 2019 19:45 IST

The police fired water cannon, teargas, and rubber bullets to dispel the crowd of protesters as they defied the police ban and marched towards police headquarters in Hong Kong's central Wan Chai for 13th consecutive weekend.

Open in App

The police fired water cannon, teargas, and rubber bullets to dispel the crowd of protesters as they defied the police ban and marched towards police headquarters in Hong Kong's central Wan Chai for 13th consecutive weekend.

While the rally was peaceful earlier in the day, the protestors wearing hard hats, gas masks and protective gear later lit barricades on fire outside government headquarters and attempted to storm through before riot police intervened, reported Al Jazeera.

Subsequently, the authorities fired blue-coloured liquid from a water cannon and bean-bag rounds after the protesters hurled petrol bombs and rocks into the premises as the blazes burned.

According to CNN, the demonstrators were pushed into Causeway Bay as the police continue to advance. Meanwhile, small groups of protesters charged forward throwing petrol bombs and banging poles.

This came after police ramped up a crackdown on the months-long protest movement, which erupted in June because of a proposed bill that would have allowed extraditions to China.

Though the draft has since been shelved, the protests against the government have continued with protesters issuing five major demands including the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Hours after arresting prominent activists including Joshua Wong, police also detained three legislators on Friday night. However, Joshua was released on bail later.

Saturday's rally was called to mark the fifth anniversary of China's rejection of demands for free elections in Hong Kong.

Over 800 protesters have been arrested by the police since the start of the agitations in June. The protestors have also been subjected to pepper spray by the police, who have resorted to other methods like batons and water cannon as well, to disperse the crowd on several occasions.

China has largely slammed the protests, calling for peace in the Chinese special administrative region.

( With inputs from ANI )

Tags: Joshua WongchinaHong KongCarrie Lam
Open in App

Related Stories

BusinessGlobal Tech Firms Eye India for Manufacturing Amid US-China Tensions

OpinionsWill the Trump Card work Against China?

International20 Dead After Fire Blows Up A Nursing Home In Northern China (Photos)

InternationalUS Imposes 104% Tariff on China, Effective April 9

InternationalTariff War: China Says It Will 'Fight Till the End' After Donald Trump Threatens 50% Higher Tariffs

International Realted Stories

International"Red letter day for India and Indian Navy": Defence expert Ranjeet Rai welcomes Rafale deal

InternationalMansarovar Yatra to resume this summer: China's Foreign Ministry

InternationalWhat we saw in Kashmir is unacceptable, Pakistan needs to deal with terror activities: Israel's diplomat

InternationalCanadians vote in vital elections under Trump’s shadow

InternationalSouth Africa records eight per cent increase in cross-border travellers during Easter