HK to cite colonial law to ban masks

Guidelines on use of force by police set to be loosened to stamp out anti-China protesters

Hong Kong, Oct. 3: Hong Kong has loosened guidelines on the use of force by police as it struggles to stamp out anti-government protests that have rocked the Asian financial hub for nearly four months, according to documents seen by Reuters on Thursday.

The city is also expected to ban face masks under a colonial-era emergency law that has not been used in half a century, media reported.

The loosening of restrictions on the use of force came into effect shortly before some of the most violent turmoil seen in the protests on Tuesday, with police firing about 1,400 rounds of tear gas, 900 rubber bullets and six live rounds, as protesters threw petrol bombs and wielded sticks.

More than 100 people were wounded, including a teenaged secondary school student who was shot in the chest and wounded.

It was the first time a demonstrator had been shot by live fire.

In the documents, the police manual changed some guidelines on how officers could act when considering force. It also removed a line that stated officers should be accountable for their actions.

Media also reported on changes to the police procedure manual with effect from September 30, ahead of protests on China’s National Day on Tuesday.

Police declined to comment when asked if amendments were made.

“The guidelines on the use of force involve details of operation. It may affect the normal and effective operation of the police force and work of

police on crime prevention if details are made public,” police said in a statement.

THE LOOSENING of restrictions on the use of force came into effect shortly before some of the most violent turmoil seen in the protests on Tuesday, with police firing about 1,400 rounds of tear gas, 900 rubber bullets and six live rounds