Police And Vendors Clash In Hong Kong

Clashes have broken out in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok district as the police cleared illegal food stalls set up for lunar new year celebrations.

The violence erupted overnight, as food and hygiene inspectors tried to remove vendors from the junction of Portland street and Shan Tung street.

Angry protesters threw bricks and other missiles at police, who used batons and pepper spray.

A senior official said that police fired two warning shots in the air. Acting District Commander, Yau Siu-Kei, also said 44 people, including police, were injured. At least 23 people were arrested.

This is the largest unrest in Hong Kong since the massive pro-democracy street protests in 2014.

Ahead of the clearance operation, hundreds of people had gathered in the area to support the hawkers.

Police said the vendors and activists were told to leave but ignored the warnings.

Clashes then broke out in the early hours and carried on past dawn. But the scene was quiet by Tuesday morning.