Masked rioters went on violent acts in Hong Kong on Monday, the third consecutive day after an anti-mask regulation was enacted, while many groups in Hong Kong condemned the continued violence and called to strictly enforce the new regulation.
Large groups of masked rioters gathered in districts across Hong Kong on Monday evening and committed various forms of vandalising acts including occupying roads, damaging public properties and facilities of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) stations, as well as arson.
In Mong Kok, Kowloon, rioters gathered outside Mong Kok police station, dug up bricks from pavements and set barricades with objects including large rubbish bins, railings and public light bus stop poles at the junction of two main roads, paralysing traffic.
In Sha Tin, the New Territories, rioters smashed glass in shopping centres, broke through a roll-up gate before storming the Sha Tin Wai MTR station to wreck facilities including turnstile and ticket machines, and damaged traffic lights.
In Tsuen Wan, another district of the New Territories, rioters broke roll-up gates of MTR stations; whereas in Yuen Long, rioters smashed up facilities with long metal rods and hard objects and set fire in Tai Tong Road Light Rail Station.
As the night fell, arson occurred in many districts including Yuen Long, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Wong Tai Sin, Tseung Kwan O and Tai Koo. Hong Kong police warned the rioters to stop all illegal acts, and reiterated that the police will enforce the law resolutely and bring the offenders to justice.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced on Friday that the HKSAR government has invoked the power under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance and passed the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation with an aim of curbing violence and restoring order.
Though the new regulation came into effect on Saturday, violence and vandalism raged on, forcing many shops to close early everyday and railway service provider MTR Corporation to partially or even completely suspend its service.
In its latest statement on Monday, the corporation condemned the rioters once again for maliciously vandalising and setting fires at various MTR stations, and endangering the safety of passengers, MTR staff and the railway assets. -Xinhua
