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Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Police surround campus after night of violence Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Protesters arrested as they run from campus
(about 1 hour later)
Police are surrounding a Hong Kong university campus after a fiery overnight stand-off with hundreds of protesters inside. Several protesters have been arrested while trying to run from a Hong Kong university campus surrounded by police.
Dozens of protesters tried to leave after sunrise but turned back as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets. A group of around 100 people tried to leave Polytechnic University but were met with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The police said tear gas was fired because "a large group of masked rioters...suddenly charged at cordons". It's the third time protesters have tried to leave, following a violent and fiery overnight stand-off with police.
In the afternoon, another group of protesters tried to run from the campus but many were arrested. In the past week, Polytechnic University has turned into a battleground as the long-running Hong Kong protests become more violent.
The group of around 100 tried to leave Polytechnic University by a tunnel entrance, but as police fired tear gas, a number were detained. Meanwhile - as protests were raging - a Hong Kong court ruled the government's anti-mask law unconstitutional.
Others from the group then retreated to the campus. In October the government invoked a colonial-era emergency law to make wearing masks illegal - but protesters largely defied the ban.
Police officers had previously said protesters could leave the campus via Cheong Wan Road South Bridge, but urged them to drop their weapons and remove their gas masks. What is happening now?
But one pro-democracy legislator inside the campus, Ted Hui, said the bridge had already "been sealed off" - and it was not possible to leave this way. At around 13:45 local time, around 100 protesters tried to run from the campus but were met by police trying to arrest them.
Some 1,000 people - many of whom are students - still remain on campus, according to Mr Hui. Images showed protesters pinned down by officers amid clouds of tear gas.
He added that many on campus were injured and cut off from medical services, calling it a "dire" situation. Police officers had earlier said protesters could leave the campus via another exit - the Cheong Wan Road South Bridge - but urged them to drop their weapons and remove their gas masks.
The acting president of PolyU's student union Ken Woo had previously told broadcaster RTHK that at least 500 people remained inside the campus. But pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui - who is on the campus - said the bridge had "been sealed off", and it was not possible to leave this way.
He added that fresh water was available, but food supplies were running low. Demonstrators have been occupying the site for days, as Hong Kong's violent protests continue to escalate. Protesters also attempted to leave the campus just after sunrise, but were met by tear gas and rubber bullets.
Police said the gas was fired because "a large group of masked rioters...suddenly charged at cordons".
Earlier, at around 05:30, protesters threw petrol bombs and lit fires when police tried to enter the campus.
According to Mr Hui, many on campus are injured, and staff from the Red Cross were later seen entering the site.
The acting president of PolyU's student union Ken Woo said fresh water was available, but food supplies were running low.
Earlier, the head of the university, Professor Jin-Guang Teng, released a video statement to protesters, saying he had arranged a deal with the police.Earlier, the head of the university, Professor Jin-Guang Teng, released a video statement to protesters, saying he had arranged a deal with the police.
If protesters left peacefully, he said he would "personally accompany" them to the police station where he would "ensure your case is fairly processed".If protesters left peacefully, he said he would "personally accompany" them to the police station where he would "ensure your case is fairly processed".
Meanwhile, a Hong Kong court has just ruled that the government's anti-mask law is unconstitutional. What happened overnight?
In October the government invoked a colonial-era emergency law to make wearing masks illegal. However, protesters have largely defied this and continued to cover their faces to hide their identities. PolyU has been occupied by protesters for several days. On Sunday night, police warned protesters they had until 22:00 local time (14:00 GMT) to leave the campus.
What is happening at the university? Some left, but others stayed, throwing petrol bombs and bricks at police and even firing arrows from bows.
The campus has been occupied by protesters for several days, and a statement from the university on Sunday night said it had been "severely and extensively vandalised". Police warned they could use live ammunition if the attacks continued.
Overnight, protesters threw petrol bombs and bricks at police, and even fired arrows from bows.
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, who was at the scene, said there was a game of "cat and mouse" with police.The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, who was at the scene, said there was a game of "cat and mouse" with police.
"The police fire tear gas and the water cannon advances, squirting noxious blue liquid," he said."The police fire tear gas and the water cannon advances, squirting noxious blue liquid," he said.
"The protesters, crouching behind umbrellas, respond with petrol bombs and rocks fired from improvised catapults. The police vehicles retreat. The net result is zero.""The protesters, crouching behind umbrellas, respond with petrol bombs and rocks fired from improvised catapults. The police vehicles retreat. The net result is zero."
When police tried to enter the campus at around 0530 local time, they were met with petrol bombs, which started more fires around the site. A statement from the university on Sunday night said it had been "severely and extensively vandalised".
After dawn broke, dozens of protesters tried to leave the site - but turned back after being met with tear gas and rubber bullets.
One student told the Reuters news agency: "At first I felt very scared and panicked staying here, because the police said all of us inside the university would be arrested for charging riots and we will be sentenced for 10 years or above.
"But now I feel very peaceful because I believe that everyone inside our university will stay together."
On Sunday night, police warned they could use live ammunition.
"I hereby warn rioters not to use petrol bombs, arrows, cars or any deadly weapons to attack police officers," police spokesman Louis Lau said.
"If they continue such dangerous actions, we would have no choice but to use the minimum force necessary, including live rounds, to fire back."
On Sunday, a member of police staff was hit in the leg with an arrow apparently fired by a protester from a bow.
Who are the protesters left inside?Who are the protesters left inside?
In interviews with media, a number of them identified themselves as current students.In interviews with media, a number of them identified themselves as current students.
But it is unclear now how many of those left on the PolyU campus are, in fact, university students. The protesters earlier appealed for university alumni and others sympathetic to the cause to join them as reinforcements. But it is unclear now how many of those left on the PolyU campus are, in fact, university students.
By Sunday evening, PolyU officials said the campus had been "occupied by activists". They also urged all staff and students to evacuate. The protesters earlier appealed for university alumni and others sympathetic to the cause to join them as reinforcements.
Democratic Party politician Hui Chi-fung, who is currently on campus, told a radio station on Monday that many of the remaining protesters appeared to be young teens and secondary school students.
How did we get here?How did we get here?
Campuses had remained relatively free of violence during the ongoing Hong Kong protests but earlier last week, the Chinese University of Hong Kong became a battleground. Campuses remained relatively free of violence during the Hong Kong protests. But earlier last week, the Chinese University of Hong Kong became a battleground.
Police said protesters threw petrol bombs on to a major road near the university in an effort to stop traffic. Officers attempted to reclaim the road - leading to major clashes. Police said protesters threw petrol bombs on a major road near the university in an effort to stop traffic. Officers attempted to reclaim the road, leading to major clashes.
The university then cancelled all classes for the rest of the term.The university then cancelled all classes for the rest of the term.
Days later, protesters at PolyU also tried to block access to a key tunnel near the university.Days later, protesters at PolyU also tried to block access to a key tunnel near the university.
"We occupied the streets next to the campus because it's the Cross Harbour Tunnel," one 23-year-old protester told NBC News."We occupied the streets next to the campus because it's the Cross Harbour Tunnel," one 23-year-old protester told NBC News.
"If we could first jam the traffic, then people couldn't go to work and the economy in return would suffer.""If we could first jam the traffic, then people couldn't go to work and the economy in return would suffer."
On Monday the city's Hospital Authority said 24 people aged between 16-84 were injured, with four in serious condition across Hong Kong. On Monday afternoon the city's Hospital Authority said 24 people aged between 16-84 were injured, with four in serious condition across Hong Kong.
Some 13 people, aged between 22 and 57, were injured on Sunday, with one in serious condition. It is unclear how many of the injured were protesters at the university. Some 13 people, aged between 22 and 57, were injured on Sunday, with one in serious condition.
It is unclear how many of the injured were protesters at the university.
Why are there protests in Hong Hong?Why are there protests in Hong Hong?
Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems".Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems".
Under this model, Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China.Under this model, Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China.
The protests started in June after the government planned to pass a bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China.The protests started in June after the government planned to pass a bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
Many feared this would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence.Many feared this would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence.
The bill was eventually withdrawn but the protests continued, having evolved into a broader revolt against the police, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing.The bill was eventually withdrawn but the protests continued, having evolved into a broader revolt against the police, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing.