Standoff between protestors and police in Hong Kong continues into 11th week/ENG

2019. augusztus 16./Phayul.com/TibetPress

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By Tenzin Dharpo

DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 16: As the standoff between protestors in Hong Kong and the police there enters into the 11th week demanding suspension of the controversial extradition bill, thousands of Hong Kongers continue to march the streets amid violent methods used by the police to disrupt the protests.

Earlier this week, the situation escalated as protestors disrupted the city’s airport and its subway, with police methods growing more violent injuring many, including a young woman who lost one eye after being hit by a rubber bullet.

Protests at the city’s international airport saw many flights cancelled and passengers stranded in transit. Later the protestors sent statements to the press with apology. "Dear tourists, we're deeply sorry about what happened yesterday. We were desperate and we made imperfect decisions. Please accept our apology, “one of the placards carried by the protestors read.

The Hong Kong police has also come under censure from the global community, many of whom say that their violent methods are ordered by Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam, alleged to be a “Beijing’s puppet”.

The protests that began 9th June and currently into its 11th week of protest has seen over 400 people arrested, 1800 canisters of teargas used in the two-month period, over 300 rubber and sponge bullets fired by the police towards protestors maiming and injuring many. While the controversial bill that sparked the protests was withdrawn, protestors are calling for its suspension altogether.

Observers fear that huge convoys of Chinese military vehicles gathering at the border and conducting drills might suggest of China’s violent intent in the days to come and escalate into something akin to the 1989 Tiananmen square tragedy where hundreds of pro-democracy students were massacred by the Chinese military.