Hong Kong police on the edge, fire tear gas

HONG KONG: Hong Kong riot police have fired tear gas at a university campus, a day after two demonstrators were critically injured in some of the worst violence in more than five months of anti-government protests.

Disruption was felt across Hong Kong on Tuesday as police prepared for further unrest in the territory. While subways were partially shut down, protesters and police faced off in and around several university campuses as classes were cancelled.

Blocking streets and metro stations has been a common tactic employed by the anti-government demonstrators.

On Monday, a police officer drew his gun during a struggle with protesters, shooting one in the abdomen. In another neighborhood, a person was set on fire after an apparent argument. The Hong Kong hospital authority said both were in critical condition. Police say those events are being investigated, but defend the officers’ actions as necessary for their own safety.

According to authorities, at least 260 people were detained in connection with the unrest on Monday. More than 3,000 citizens have been arrested since the protests began in June.

Harsher measures?

Recent weeks have been marked by escalating violence and vandalism against shops and train stations as well as assaults by both protesters and pro-Beijing supporters.

Hong Kong’s embattled leader, Carrie Lam, said Monday the violence in the region had gone too far and that demonstrators were now the enemy of the people. She said protesters were indulging in “wishful thinking” if they thought violence would achieve political change.

Lam continued her criticism of protesters on Tuesday as she accused them of trying to “paralyze” the city and of being extremely selfish. She also hoped all universities and schools would urge students not to participate in violence.

Lam also pledged to stop the violent protests in comments suggesting harsher legal and police measures could be coming. “I do not want to go into details, but I just want to make it very clear that we will spare no effort in finding ways and means that could end the violence in Hong Kong as soon as possible,” she said.

US, UK monitoring closely

The United States has expressed “grave concern” with recent developments in Hong Kong and has condemned violence on all sides, a US State Department spokeswoman said late Monday.

The US has also urged China to honor commitments that Hong Kong will “enjoy a high degree of autonomy,” the spokeswoman added.