Independent Extradition Probe Needed: Chu Hoi-dick

Council Front lawmaker Chu Hoi-dick said on Saturday that he doesn't think protests over the extradition bill are out of hand, but called for an independent inquiry into the June 12 protests and the government's handling of the extradition issue.

Chu said protesters showed restraint when they surrounded the police headquarters in Wan Chai on Friday, noting that they weren't violent and there were no arrests - and warned the government not to expect any let-up.

The protesters acted after the government failed to meet their demands by a deadline of 5 pm on Thursday.

They had called for the now-suspended extradition bill to be completely withdrawn, an investigation into the behaviour of the police during the June 12 protest, the government's designation of that protest as a "riot" to be cancelled, and the release without charge of those arrested during the protest.

Police have condemned the move, saying it seriously affected police work, including the provision of emergency services to the public.

Chu warned that the situation would remain tense - unless the government genuinely responded to the demands.

He warned that if the government chose to not respond and to communicate through press releases rather than face to face, he did not think that the public would back down and stop the protests.

"Protesters are considerate. Protesters will try our best not to create an unacceptable nuisance to the public, but at the same time, we think the only way to solve this problem is (for) the government to back down - not the protesters," Chu said.

But Liberal Party lawmaker and Executive Councillor Tommy Cheung played down the need for an independent inquiry.

Cheung said he didn't think it would resolve divisions within society and some things were beyond such an inquiry - including whether Beijing demanded that the SAR government table the extradition bill.

Separately, New People's Party lawmaker, Eunice Yung, said there was an established mechanism to look into complaints against the police.