A firefighter douses a fire set by rioters on the road in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, Feb 29, 2020. (PHOTO/CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG - Rioters returned to the streets in Hong Kong on Saturday after a period of relative calm following intense anti-government protests stemming from the extradition bill incident in the latter half of last year.
Hundreds of black-clad protesters gathered in and around Mong Kok district starting at around 6 pm Saturday.
A fire set by rioters burns in a rubbish bin in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, Feb 29, 2020. (PHOTO/CHINA DAILY)
They gathered outside Mong Kok police station and occupied Nathan Road and Prince Edward Road West, paralyzing traffic. Some protesters pointed laser beams and hurled gasoline bombs at police officers.
As the number of protesters increased, some set fires on Nathan Road, posing threat to passers-by and nearby residents. The Mong Kok MTR station has been closed.
Report room services of the Mong Kok police station have been suspended.
Police warned rioters to stop unlawful acts and said they would take resolute law enforcement actions.
Police said on Sunday morning, that total 115 people, aged between 15 to 54, were arrested over illegal assembly, possessing offensive weapons, theft and assaulting police officers.
Two police officers were attacked by hard objects such as bricks at two separate locations. Both sustained injuries in hands while one suffered injuries on his head and legs. They were sent to hospital for treatment, added police.
Black-clad protesters barricade a road with metal railings in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, Feb 29, 2020. (PHOTO/CHINA DAILY)
Black-clad rioters barricade a road with metal railings and rubbish bins in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, Feb 29, 2020. (PHOTO/CHINA DAILY)
Residents look at a charred gate of MTR Mong Kok station in Hong Kong, Feb 29, 2020. Rioters set fire to the station during an illegal assembly in Mong Kok on Saturday. (PHOTO/CHINA DAILY)
Riot police arrest a black-clad rioter following violence in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, Feb 29, 2020. (PHOTO/CHINA DAILY)
