Fear, Tension Remain In North Point Area

Shops in some areas of North Point were closed on Tuesday while workers in some establishments in the area said they were told to leave early amid fears that some people were planning an attack in the area.

Many shops, including a mall and some 7-Eleven stores, downed shutters and many residents said an air of fear hung over the area amid online reports that some groups were planning a revenge attack.

Some major offices, including a bank ended their operations early, reports said. By late evening, groups of policemen were seen patrolling the streets.

The area saw some heavy clashes between anti-extradition bill protesters and a group of men armed with sticks on Monday during the citywide strike called by anti-government groups.

On Monday night, as some protesters clad in black were marching along the road, they were set upon by the armed group, in scenes reminiscent of an attack on protesters in Yuen Long last month. This led to a full-on clash between the group on King's Road.

But videos that circulated on social media showed the protesters who were in larger numbers fighting back with sticks, traffic cones and whatever they laid their hands on, forcing the armed group to retreat towards a building in the area.

Throughout the events, police made no appearance and were on the scene only hours later.

Referring to the incident, senior superintendent Kong Wing-cheung said on Tuesday that they first received reports of the gang of men at around 7pm. But he said as protesters were surrounding North Point Police Station, they were unable to send officers to the scene.

Kong said riot police eventually arrived at around 11pm to disperse the crowd.