John Lee Ka-chiu, secretary for security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, meets media on the extradition bill at Central Government Offices on May 30, 2019. Lee told the press on Sept 2, 2019 that violent protesters attacked and beat up people with views different from theirs to create an atmosphere of "black terror". (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Violent protesters attacked and beat up people with views different from theirs to create an atmosphere of "black terror," a senior official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said on Monday.

Police said, so far, 1,117 arrests had been made in relation to violent protests against the city’s now-shelved extradition bill

Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said at a press conference that over the past two days, radical protesters had wreaked havoc amid escalating violence that undermined the order and rule of law of Hong Kong.

About 100 petrol bombs were hurled by violent radicals on Saturday, who also started fires at several places, said Lee, adding that such violent acts posed a serious threat to the safety of people.

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Two petrol bombs were seized from a 13-year-old suspect and a batch of petrol bombs found on the platform of a Mass Transit Railways (MTR) station were confiscated by police. Lee urged the Hong Kong public to speak out against violence.

The police had rejected the application of a public procession on Hong Kong Island on Saturday to ensure the safety of residents and public order after several similar events turned extremely violent since early June.

However, protesters on Saturday defied a police ban by occupying downtown roads. Some radical protesters smashed traffic lights and dismantled roadside railings to set up barricades to confront police.

Black-clad rioters wearing masks and helmets attempted to storm the HKSAR government headquarters and the Legislative Council, using slingshots to hurl petrol bombs and other objects into the compound housing the buildings before starting a fire on a main road near the Hong Kong police headquarters.

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The secretary for security also recounted how violent radicals confronted police across various areas on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories, hurling petrol bombs in different places and attacking police personnel with corrosive liquid and bricks.   

Lee said also started fires at different locations, vandalized public property, set up barricades, and damaged facilities at MTR stations. The fire started at Hennessy Road was very fierce at one point, with flames rising to almost lick the overbridge, posing serious danger to nearby residents. 
In a press conference held Monday evening police said, 159 people had been detained over the past weekend on the suspicion of possessing offensive weapons, taking part in an unlawful assembly and obstructing or assaulting police officers. Two officers were injured during the clashes with rioters. 

Police said, so far, 1,117 arrests had been made in relation to violent protests against the city’s now-shelved extradition bill.
The Fire Services Department reported as having received 14 fire incident reports over Saturday and Sunday.