Tense Scenes Outside Mong Kok Police Station Again

Tension flared up outside the Mong Kok police station again on Saturday night with police firing a shot to disperse a crowd that has gathered in the area.

The group started gathering by late evening outside the Prince Edward MTR station where some people raised a temporary shrine to mark the site of a police clearance action on August 31.

Police, fire, hospital and MTR officials have all dismissed rumours that protesters were killed on August 31, but speculation persists.

Some people burned joss paper while others paid tribute at the site. As the number increased, some youngsters started shouting slogans and chanting curses at officers inside the station. Some laser pointers were also directed at the station.

After a while, a few officers in civilian clothes rushed to the scene and subdued at least two people, with riot police also coming out of station to provide support.

But tension continued to mount and police fired a shot from the station. It was not known if they used a rubber bullet or sponge bomb and no one was hit.

The crowd still did not disperse and police issued a warning saying that they will fire rubber bullets if they stay.

Later a large contingent of riot police arrived at the scene and cleared off the crowd.