Tear Gas Deployed In Tsuen Wan, Again

Police fired multiple volleys of tear gas in Tsuen Wan again on Sunday evening, in yet another unsuccessful attempt to disperse protesters occupying the streets.

Protesters had earlier pelted a police van with hard objects and water bottles at Sha Tsui Road, prompting officers to emerge, pointing their guns at people nearby.

Police have been firing tear gas intermittently in the area throughout the day as protesters have been occupying the streets in the area. A number of shops deemed pro-Beijing were smashed up at the Citywalk Mall, and makeshift barricades were set up on the streets to block traffic. A small fire was set on Tai Ho Road, before firefighters arrived to put it out.

In the evening, masked protesters smashed up a Best Mart 360 store.

Earlier, at least five people were arrested on Tai Ho Road.

On several occasions, officers deployed tear gas without issuing any warning.

A Now TV reporter was hit in the arm by a tear gas canister, suffering burns, while she was standing on a footbridge.

Video of the incident showed an officer firing the tear gas from a police van just before it left the area.

Now TV later issued a statement accusing the police of disregarding public safety by firing at a crowd on a bridge without warning. It said it regrets the incident, and reserves all right to take further action.

The station also pointed out that there were both journalists and passersby on the footbridge when the tear gas was deployed.

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