Police form a line to prevent onlookers from entering an area being used by pro-democracy protestors in Kowloon. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong: Pro-democracy protesters were besieged by violent mobs looking to break up its occupation of one of Hong Kong's busiest districts on Friday, leading to chaotic skirmishes on city streets, accusations of police bias, and the shelving of negotiations with the government.
Nineteen people were arrested, at least eight of whom had 'triad backgrounds', police said early on Saturday, lending weight to furious accusations from pro-democracy groups that the violence was instigated by gangs who had been paid to cause trouble and break up the demonstrations.
The violent scuffles, the ugliest scenes in the protests since police fired tear gas on crowds on Sunday, laid bare divisions within the community over the protests which have paralysed major city blocks for a week. But it has also revealed the depths of support for the exhausted democracy campaigners.
A man threatens pro-democracy protestors in the Kowloon. Photo: AFP
The protesters, who have occupied three separate sites across the city, came under pressure on multiple fronts on Friday in what appeared to be a concerted attack. The confrontations in Kowloon's densely-populated Mong Kok, in particular, escalated into open violence as the night wore on.
Earlier on Friday, a daytime lull had seen protest numbers at the Mong Kok encampment dwindle after student-led groups had agreed overnight to enter into talks with Hong Kong deputy leader Carrie Lam.
About two dozen men then seized upon the chaos during a heavy burst of rain, and started tearing down barricades, tents and tarpaulins protesters had slept under for a week. Stranded buses and vehicles, which had been abandoned when the occupation first began, were driven away.
Police officers move a protester at Hong Kong's Mongkok district. Photo: Reuters
Overwhelming the light police presence that was patrolling the area, more men joined in and boxed in students and other pro-democracy campaigners at their last remaining tent, causing a tense stand-off.
Regardless of who the instigators were, they attracted a large group of dozens, if not hundreds, of others who joined in surrounding the pro-democracy tent, baying for blood, sometimes literally.
'Kill!' was heard yelled from the crowd, while observers who tried to intervene were also threatened physically.
A riot police officer holds a baton as he confronts Occupy Central protesters. Photo: Reuters
Many claimed they were ordinary Hong Kong residents who were fed up with how the occupation of the streets had disrupted their lives.
'We are not organised at all. We are self-motivated,' small business owner Chan Wai-wah said, while hurling abuse at the pro-democracy protesters, who had linked arms to form a human chain.
'The shops here all pay so much rent, and the customers are gone because of these protests.'
More to come
Posted by Unknown on Saturday, October 4, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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