Increasing HK residents demand end to Occupy Central

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said here Monday that a series of polls have indicated that more and more HK residents demand an end to the Occupy Central Movement and he urged remaining protesters to leave the occupied sites.

Leung said to media that the protesters charged police cordon lines and police responded with tolerance. However, Leung said that if the situation deteriorates, "police will enforce the law resolutely."

Protesters unlawfully gathered on Sunday night and Monday morning for planning and organizing the storming of police cordon lines and blockading access to the Central Government Offices (CGO) and Lung Wo Road.

During the jostling, the radicals deliberately threw objects including water bottles, helmets and pepper powders at police officers. They also used strong flashlights against police officers and attacked them with fire extinguisher spray.

To prevent the situation from deteriorating, police took resolute action by using appropriate force to stop these illegal acts.

Meanwhile, the radical protesters ignored repeated police appeals and warnings, continuing to charge the police cordon lines.

Eleven police officers were injured during the incident and 40 persons have been arrested so far.

Leung said a number of polls have revealed that public tolerance towards the Occupy Central Movement was decreasing while demand for police clearance was increasing.

Leung noted that over the past two months, blockade of roads has dented HK's international image and caused damage to economy.

Leung stressed that the police and HK authorities have the responsibility to restore social order as soon as possible and protect public safety.