City
Epaper

Scuffles in Hong Kong as protests enter 15th week

By IANS | Updated: September 14, 2019 17:50 IST

Scuffles broke out between anti-government protesters and pro-Beijing groups in different parts of Hong Kong on Saturday as the city entered its 15th week of protests.

Open in App

Riot police were called to the residential area of Kowloon Bay where rival groups confronted each other in a shopping centre.

A local resident told journalists his son, who was not wearing black - the trademark colour of young protesters in the ongoing anti-government protest movement - was arrested for no apparent reason, Efe news reported.

In the suburbs of Tin Shui Wai, near the border with mainland China, hundreds of demonstrators defied a police ban and took to the streets.

Some waved American flags calling for the US to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act a congressional bill proposed by some US lawmakers.

If passed, Washington would have to annually certify that Hong Kong remains autonomous from mainland China. Any Chinese officials found violating Hongkongers' human rights and freedoms could have their assets in the US frozen and be denied entry to the country.

A standoff ensued between the demonstrators and riot police who were deployed to the scene and warned the protesters they were involved in an "illegal assembly".

More than 100 secondary school students also held a rally at a square in the city's central business district, where they erected the "Lady Liberty Hong Kong" statue.

The Asian financial hub is in the midst of its most severe political crisis in decades. The crisis was sparked four months ago in opposition to a bill on extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China.

The situation shows no signs of abating, although the city's top leader Carrie Lam formally withdrew the bill 10 days ago. The city's police force has now become the leading subject of criticism for its alleged brutality against protesters during these months.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Hong KongchinausCarrie Lam
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIran-Israel Conflict: Israel Attacks Iran's Sole Nuclear Power Plant in Bushehr; Tensions Escalate

MumbaiMumbai: Bomb Threat Call to US Consulate Traced to Mentally Unstable Youth Upset Over Visa Rejection

NationalAir India Flight to Delhi Returns to Hong Kong After Pilots Detect Possible Technical Problem

InternationalOrganic Ground Beef Recalled Over E. Coli Fears in US - Is Yours Affected?

InternationalTennessee: One Killed, Several Injured After Woman Suffers Seizure While Driving, Hits Pedestrians and Vehicles in Gatlinburg

International Realted Stories

InternationalIsrael: Massive Fire After Iranian Missile Hits Building Near Microsoft Office in Beer Sheva (Watch Videos)

InternationalUK: Chinese student who drugged and raped 10 women sentenced to life in prison

InternationalIDF strikes Iranian nuclear research HQ, other targets in Tehran

InternationalMeasles health alert issued for Sydney

InternationalIsrael-Iran Conflict: Fake Missiles and Real Interceptions – How Iran Is Outsmarting Israel’s Air Defense