Traffic Chaos And Tear Gas In Wong Tai Sin

Protesters on Saturday night blocked the Kwun Tong-bound lanes of Lung Cheung Road, putting up barricades in the middle of the highway.

Long lines of traffic were seen on the Tsuen Wan-bound lanes.

A large crowd of protesters gathered on both sides of the road.

Earlier police fired tear gas and pepper spray outside Wong Tai Sin Police station as they tried to retake roads nearby.

Scuffles also broke out between a group of protesters and residents near the police staff quarters.

A few hours earlier on Saturday night riot police fired tear gas in Wong Tai Sin to disperse a crowd gathering outside the bus terminus.

Officers fired several rounds of tear gas as they retreated from the terminus after a police van had been surrounded and attacked by a crowd.

The government issued a statement saying the illegal acts and road blockages involved in recent protests were getting worse and were way beyond the boundaries of freedom of expression in a civilised society.

The statement strongly condemned radical protesters, who it said had disregarded law and order, blatantly breached the public peace, and even challenged national sovereignty.

It said the police will strictly enforce the law, and violent protesters who had broken the law would be brought to justice.

Last updated: 2019-08-04 HKT 01:53