Police safety teams enter Hong Kong campus, vow no arrests
HONG KONG (AP) — Police safety teams Thursday began clearing a Hong Kong university that was a flashpoint for clashes with anti-government demonstrators, and an officer said any holdouts still hiding inside would not be immediately arrested.
The police move into the Polytechnic University came after its administration said they believed no one else remained inside after a two-day search ended Wednesday. Faculty teams found only a young woman in a weak condition and a stockpile of dangerous items including petrol bomb and corrosive liquid.
Hours before the police operation, a masked protester came out from his hiding and told reporters there are still less than 20 others holed up inside.
“The remaining protesters never trust the police. It explains why for the past few days when the university management search for us, we keep hiding,” said the protester, who identified himself as Ah Bong.
He warned they’ll “definitely protest” if police enter the campus.
The university has been ringed by police for 11 days as protesters retreated into the campus after blocking a major tunnel and set toll booths on fire during clashes with police. Some 1,100 protesters have left or have been arrested.
Senior police officer Chow Yat Ming said the focus of the operation is not to arrest any holdouts but on removing hazardous items that are a threat to public safety, and to gather evidence of “malicious” damage to campus facilities.
If they find any protesters, he said police mediators and counselors will coax them to seek medical treatment. He said they won’t be arrested but their details will be taken down for possible further action.
“Our major concern today is not about arrest, it’s about their wellbeing,” Chow said. He said it’s unclear how long the operation will take.
Some 100 personnel, including hazmat teams and explosive disposal experts, fanned out across the vast campus. Television footage showed officers searching buildings and removing bottles and other items.