Fresh clashes broke out at Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests early Sunday with riot police using batons and pepper spray to fight back demonstrators, as student leaders reopened the door to talks with the government.
With the protest movement entering its seventh night, tens of thousands of Hong Kongers gathered for a peace rally in the downtown Admiralty district near the government headquarters chanting "Peace! Anti-violence!" and singing democracy anthems.
But across the harbour in the city's densely packed Mong Kok district tensions flared anew, as crowds of baying protesters surrounded police, accusing them of cooperating with gangsters, according to AFP reporters at the scene. Police responded with pepper spray.
Pro-democracy protesters have taken to Hong Kong's streets all week to demand the right to nominate who can run as their next leader in 2017 elections. Beijing insists only candidates it has approved will be able to stand.
Student leaders said early Sunday that they would meet the government if certain conditions were met, having scrapped planned negotiations the previous day over anger at police actions in earlier clashes.
In Mong Kok, a working-class district of shops and residences that was also the site of ugly scenes Friday, furious protesters claimed anti-democracy agitators from the city's triad mobs were being arrested -- only to be released back into the crowds again.
"The police have been cooperating with gangsters," said David Chan, a 22-year-old student.
"We have witnessed the police letting go of the gangsters. That's why the peaceful protesters are so angry, We have no trust in them any more."
Students 'willing to talk'
Hong Kong's main student union, HKFS, said in a statement: "The government should investigate why the police were so lax in enforcement, accusations of helping criminals and to give an explanation to the public as soon as possible."
It came after two of the city's busiest shopping districts descended into chaos on Friday as opponents, some of them waving Chinese flags, clashed with protesters, tearing down their tents and barricades.
The incidents led to accusations that the police failed to protect the demonstrators from the opposing crowds and speculation authorities had hired paid thugs to break up the protests.
"As long as the government responds to the above, the students are willing to talk again," the HKFS said.
Police said several suspected triad members were among 19 people arrested after Friday's clashes, but the city's security chief denied allegations that the government had called on hired criminals.
"These accusations are made up and are very excessive," Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok told reporters.
But pro-democrat lawmaker Albert Ho said the police "seemed to show a lot of indulgence to triad activities".
Triad gangs have traditionally been involved in drug-running, prostitution and extortion but are increasingly in legitimate ventures such as property and the finance industry.
Some are believed to also have links with the political establishment and there have previously been allegations of triads sending paid thugs to stir up trouble during protests.
Change 'a daydream'
China has accused democracy campaigners of destabilising the regional financial hub.
The People's Daily newspaper, a Communist Party mouthpiece, said in an editorial on Saturday that the protesters were "day-dreaming" over the prospect of change.
Small rallies by crowds sporting blue ribbons were held by people who said they supported the police and the government, in a growing sign of a backlash against a campaign that has caused wide-scale disruption and taken a heavy toll on local businesses.
In a speech broadcast on television, Hong Kong's reviled leader said he was determined to clear the streets of protesters by Monday when the city returns to work.
"The government and the police have the duty and determination to take all necessary actions to restore social order so that the government and some seven million people of Hong Kong can return to their normal work and life," Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said.
Fears of intimidation have replaced the festive sense of unity that had prevailed for days.
There were widespread reports of sexual assault in the packed crowds.
An AFP reporter in Mong Kok heard a female counter-demonstrator tell pro-democracy crowds through a loudspeaker: "Women are supposed to be touched by men." She spoke in Cantonese with a mainland accent.
Later, a crowd of some 200 people were seen chasing a man they believed to be an anti-democracy agitator. He was forced to seek protection from the police.
Journalists have also been targeted. The Hong Kong Journalists Association said it had confirmed five attacks against members of the media.
AFP
Sun Oct 05 2014
Riot police fight back Hong Kong demonstrators - AFP Photo
Maklumat awal mendapati pelaku bertindak secara bersendirian
Maklumat awal mendapati bahawa pelaku merupakan warganegara Malaysia berusia 21 tahun dan tidak mempunyai rekod lampau serta melakukan tindakan tersebut secara bersendirian.
#AWANInews
#AWANInews
Henti sebarang spekulasi, beri ruang polis jalankan siasatan
Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail menasihatkan orang awam supaya menghentikan sebarang spekulasi berhubung kes tembakan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram, Johor Bahru.
#AWANInews
#AWANInews
Mayat lelaki ditemui di sempadan Mexico- AS, cetus ketakutan migran lain
Pejabat pendakwa raya di utara Mexico menyiasat kematian seorang migran di sebuah lokasi bersempadan dengan Amerika Syarikat (AS) pada Jumaat.
AWANI Ringkas: Sektor petrokimia dan penyelesaian tenaga hijau bersih
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Serangan Balai Polis Ulu Tiram: Tujuh individu dibawa ke mahkamah untuk reman
Tujuh individu yang dipercayai mempunyai kaitan dengan serangan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram dibawa ke Mahkamah Majistret Johor Bahru hari ini.
AWANI Pagi: Pameran Palet Budaya: Interaksi seni & Gastronomi
Makanan dan seni visual mungkin kedengaran agak janggal untuk disatukan, tetapi itulah keunikan Pameran Palet Budaya: Interaksi Seni & Gastronomi.
Ikuti bingkisan disediakan penyampai AWANI Pagi, Azib Zikry dalam membedah karya-karya unik, khazanah seni negara.
Ikuti bingkisan disediakan penyampai AWANI Pagi, Azib Zikry dalam membedah karya-karya unik, khazanah seni negara.
AWANI Pagi: Berita tumpuan & menarik di astroawani.com [18 Mei 2024]
Fokus Awani Pagi bersama Nursyazwani Saiful Sham & Azib Zikry;
Dua anggota polis maut diserang lelaki bertopeng di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram
Polis siasat ancaman Jemaah Islamiyah dalam negara
Sekitar Kapas Marang Swimathon 2024
Dua anggota polis maut diserang lelaki bertopeng di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram
Polis siasat ancaman Jemaah Islamiyah dalam negara
Sekitar Kapas Marang Swimathon 2024
Bukan tidak cakna gerakan 'Eyes On Rafah'... ini penjelasan Ning Baizura!
Ning Baizura nafi tidak sensitif mengenai situasi semasa di Palestin dan gerakan All Eyes On Rafah.
Seorang maut, lapan cedera serangan udara Israel di kem pelarian Jenin
Seorang penduduk Palestin terbunuh manakala lapan lagi cedera dalam serangan udara Israel ke atas kem pelarian Jenin di Tebing Barat yang diduduki pada Jumaat.
Serangan Balai Polis: Tujuh individu direman hari ini
Tujuh individu, termasuk lima ahli keluarga suspek, akan direman bagi membantu siasatan serangan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram. Dua anggota polis maut dalam kejadian tersebut.
Kita bersama wakil Astro AWANI Johor, Siti Nur Aqilla Omar, yang akan mengikuti liputan berkenaan hari ini.
Kita bersama wakil Astro AWANI Johor, Siti Nur Aqilla Omar, yang akan mengikuti liputan berkenaan hari ini.
Piala Thomas: 'Kemenangan ke atas Hong Kong lonjak keyakinan' - Jun Hao
Kem perseorangan negara Piala Thomas 2024 berjaya membuktikan kemampuan mereka, sekurang-kurangnya selepas mengetepikan pemain Hong Kong dalam aksi pembukaan Kumpulan D hari ini.
Piala Thomas: Leong Jun Hao lakar kebangkitan, pastikan kemenangan Malaysia!
Leong Jun Hao melakar kebangkitan memastikan Malaysia memperoleh kemenangan ke atas wakil Hong Kong, Angus Ng Ka Long.
Thomas Cup: Zii Jia ketepikan 'kegoyahan' kem perseorangan lelaki negara
Lee Zii Jia tidak mahu terlalu memikirkan situasi kem perseorangan negara yang kurang mantap menjelang aksi pembukaan Kumpulan D saingan Piala Thomas 2024 berdepan Hong Kong, esok.
'Malaysia ada kelebihan di Piala Thomas'
Pemain profesional negara Cheam June Wei menyifatkan pasukan negara mempunyai kelebihan tersendiri pada pertarungan pusingan pertama bertemu Hong Kong pada kejohanan Piala Thomas 2024.
Hong Kong tagih sentuhan pakar untuk Piala Thomas
Hong Kong, yang mempunyai bekas pemain antarabangsa Wong Choong Hann dan Choong Tan Fook dalam set kejurulatihan mereka, hanya membuat penampilan keenam mereka di pusingan akhir.
KPKT akan perkenal model perumahan awam baharu - Nga
Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan sedang merangka model baharu perumahan awam yang dinamakan Program Residensi Rakyat (PRR).
Aksi Argentina di China batal angkara Messi
Messi berdepan dengan kritikan selepas dia hanya berada di bangku simpanan semasa perlawanan persahabatan yang menampilkan Inter Miami di Hong Kong.
Piala Asia: Kemenangan pertama bawa Palestin ke pusingan kalah mati
Penyerang Oday Dabbagh muncul pemain paling menonjol apabila menjaringkan dua gol.
Witchcraft terus penguasaan di RLIR 2024
Witchcraft mempamerkan corak pelayaran konsisten untuk berada di kedudukan pertama dengan lima mata penalti.
Dua penalti bantu UAE atasi Hong Kong 3-1
Naib juara edisi 1996 itu mendahului 1-0 pada separuh masa pertama menerusi sepakan penalti yang disempurnakan Sultan Adill Alamiri.