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September 30, 2014

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Authorities urge people to stay calm and disperse

Source: Xinhua | September 30, 2014, Tuesday | Print Edition

MAIN roads in various parts of Hong Kong remained blocked last night as the “Occupy Central” movement continued their protests.

Schools were suspended and busy districts suffered traffic disruption.

The protests, which began early on Sunday morning at government headquarters in Admiralty, has extended to Central, Causeway Bay and Mongkok, the city’s busiest areas, where an estimate of more than 20,000 people had taken to the streets.

Protesters are calling for the withdrawal of the decision on Hong Kong’s constitutional development made on August 31 by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

Traffic was badly affected when some of the city’s key roads were occupied, with more than 200 bus routes suspended or re-routed due to the widespread protest.

Passengers were forced to turn to the Mass Transit Railway, where some of the exits to Admiralty and Causeway Bay were closed.

A total of 36 branches, offices or ATMs of 20 banks in the occupied areas were temporarily closed yesterday morning, and so were the shops nearby. The local banking system, however, was operating normally, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said, adding that the Hong Kong dollar had eased slightly at opening but the exchange rate remained generally steady.

The city’s education bureau announced the suspension of classes at all kindergarten, primary schools, secondary schools and special schools in the Wanchai, Central and Western districts as a precaution to maintain students’ safety.

A government spokesman appealed to those blocking the roads to free some carriageways to allow the passage of emergency vehicles and the partial resumption of public transport.

The spokesman urged people to remain calm and disperse peacefully as soon as possible.

Violence broke out between riot police and tens of thousands of protesters in Admiralty on Sunday when protesters charged the police cordon line. The crowd later spread towards Central. Police fired volleys of tear gas to disperse the crowd during the night, leaving the area in chaos.

Police said yesterday that a total of 41 people, including 12 police constables, were injured during the protests over the past few days. They urged protesters to cooperate and disperse peacefully to avoid affecting other members of the public. Police have stood down the anti-riot deployment.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government announced the cancelation of tomorrow’s National Day fireworks.

It said that in view of the latest situation it was anticipated that main access roads leading to hot spots for viewing the display would continue to be seriously affected.

Having regard to public transport arrangements and public safety, the 8pm display scheduled at Victoria Harbor would not now take place.

Nation


 

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