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Hong Kong protesters clash with police at government HQ Hong Kong protesters clash with police at government HQ
(about 2 hours later)
Hong Kong police have clashed with pro-democracy activists trying to surround government offices, in some of the worst unrest in two months of protests. Hong Kong police have clashed with pro-democracy activists overnight, briefly shutting down government offices on Monday.
Protesters fought police armed with pepper spray, batons and water hoses on roads around the camp in Admiralty. Protesters fought police armed with pepper spray, batons and water hoses on Lung Wo Road in Admiralty..
Police say 40 people have been arrested and a number of officers were injured. On Monday, an injunction was granted to clear an area just west of the main Admiralty protest site.
That sparked fears of more violence after what was already some of the worst unrest in two months of protests.
The protesters want the people of Hong Kong to be allowed to choose their leaders in the 2017 elections without interference from Beijing.The protesters want the people of Hong Kong to be allowed to choose their leaders in the 2017 elections without interference from Beijing.
The Chinese government has said it will allow universal suffrage, but will screen candidates for the chief executive post in advance.The Chinese government has said it will allow universal suffrage, but will screen candidates for the chief executive post in advance.
Last week police and court bailiffs removed one of the major protest camps in the Mong Kok commercial district. After the clashes, Chief Executive CY Leung warned activists not to come back to the protest site later on Monday.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says that it seems clear that the authorities now want to take a hard line after two months of a soft approach. "From this day on, the police will take resolute action when carrying out their duties. I call on the students who are thinking of returning to the occupation area tonight not to do so.
The protesters had public support at the beginning, but that is now ebbing as many Hong Kong residents believe the protests are causing too much disruption, says our correspondent. "Don't mistake the police tolerance as weakness."
The unrest flared late on Sunday, after student protest leaders called on supporters to converge on the offices of Chief Executive CY Leung on Lung Wo Road.The unrest flared late on Sunday, after student protest leaders called on supporters to converge on the offices of Chief Executive CY Leung on Lung Wo Road.
The road is a short distance away from Connaught Road in Admiralty, the major road protesters have been occupying for two months.The road is a short distance away from Connaught Road in Admiralty, the major road protesters have been occupying for two months.
Protesters, many wearing hard hats and carrying umbrellas - the symbol of their movement - moved into the area, throwing bottles, helmets and umbrellas towards police.Protesters, many wearing hard hats and carrying umbrellas - the symbol of their movement - moved into the area, throwing bottles, helmets and umbrellas towards police.
Many activists chanted: "I want true democracy!"
"I urge everyone to stay here until the morning to keep surrounding the government headquarters. Let's stop the government from functioning tomorrow," a protester in a black T-shirt shouted, Reuters news agency reported."I urge everyone to stay here until the morning to keep surrounding the government headquarters. Let's stop the government from functioning tomorrow," a protester in a black T-shirt shouted, Reuters news agency reported.
Police ordered them to retreat, then charged protesters, eventually forcing them out of the area. Police sprayed water to disperse protesters, in addition to batons and pepper spray. Police ordered them to retreat, then charged protesters, eventually forcing them out of the area. Police said that 40 people were arrested and a number of officers were injured.
'No choice''No choice'
"The action was aimed at paralysing the government's operation,'' student leader Alex Chow was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.
"The government has been stalling... and we believe we need to focus pressure on the government headquarters, the symbol of the government's power.''
On Monday government offices were shut and staff were told to stay home. But the roads outside the government site were clear of protesters and open for traffic.On Monday government offices were shut and staff were told to stay home. But the roads outside the government site were clear of protesters and open for traffic.
By afternoon government employees were able to go back to work. By the afternoon government employees were able to go back to work.
The atmosphere remains tense at Connaught Road where hundreds of protesters are still occupying the area amid a police presence.The atmosphere remains tense at Connaught Road where hundreds of protesters are still occupying the area amid a police presence.
Hong Kong's security secretary, Lai Tung-kwow, has blamed students for escalating violent behaviour, and defended the use of force by police. Later on Monday, a coach operating company won a court injunction to clear a section of Connaught Road and Harcourt Road, just west of the main Admiralty protest camp.
"The police have to take resolute actions, they have no choice ... it is their duty to restore law and order," he told reporters at a press conference on Monday. The site is seen as the major stronghold of protesters and observers say police action to dismantle it could lead to more clashes with protesters.
Last week more than 100 people - including some key protest leaders - were arrested as the Mong Kok camp, across the harbour from Admiralty, was dismantled. The activists had public support when they started their protest in September, but that is now ebbing as many Hong Kong residents believe the protests are causing too much disruption.
Last week, acting on a separate injunction granted to a local business police and court bailiffs removed one of the three major protest camps in the Mong Kok commercial district.
More than 100 people - including some key protest leaders - were arrested as the Mong Kok camp, across the harbour from Admiralty, was dismantled.
The latest clashes come after China said it would not allow a UK parliamentary committee to enter Hong Kong as part of an inquiry into British relations with its former colony.The latest clashes come after China said it would not allow a UK parliamentary committee to enter Hong Kong as part of an inquiry into British relations with its former colony.
Hong Kong democracy timelineHong Kong democracy timeline
Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversyQ&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy
Are you in Hong Kong? What is your reaction to the protests? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Hong Kong? What is your reaction to the protests? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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