Protesters face angry backlash

Pro-democracy activists targeted by local residents

HONG KONG:

Fresh clashes have broken out in the territory as residents and pro-Beijing supporters tried to force democracy activists from the streets they were occupying.

The scuffles in Kowloon’s crowded Mong Kok district revived the possibility that the week-long stand-off could turn violent despite an earlier attempt by the city’s leader CY Leung to defuse the situation by offering talks.

The scenes were the most chaotic since police used tear gas and pepper spray on Sunday in an unsuccessful attempt to disperse protesters pressing for electoral reforms.

Police were hardpressed to keep order as the two sides tussled in a tense stand-off.

The generally older people trying to force out the vastly outnumbered protesters were yelling, shoving and at times trying to drag the protesters away.

Police formed cordons and escorted some of the protesters away as hundreds chanted: “Go home.”

The democracy activists linked arms and held hands as they tried

Police were hard-pressed to keep order as sides tussled

to stand their ground against the massive crowd.

Police also linked arms in an attempt to keep those agitating to get the area cleared of protesters from pushing into their ranks.

The protesters have been in the streets since last Friday over attempts by Beijing to pre-approve candidates for local elections.