Hong Kong’s rule of law has been pushed to the “brink of total collapse” after more than five months of protests, police have warned.
The warning came a day after the territory saw a marked escalation in violence, with police shooting one activist in the torso.
A pro-Beijing supporter was later set on fire by anti-government protesters.
Protesters continued to clash with police on Tuesday in the central business district and at universities.
According to news agency AFP, hundreds of masked protesters were seen throwing bricks and other objects, while police used tear gas to force them back.
But there were also thousands of office workers out on the streets, peacefully chanting: “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong!”
The protests started in June against a now-withdrawn plan to allow extradition to mainland China, but have since morphed into wider demonstrations, with activists demanding greater democracy and police accountability in Hong Kong.
On Tuesday afternoon, police spokesman Kong Wing-cheung hit out at the protesters, saying they had “countless examples of rioters using random and indiscriminate violence against innocent” people.
“Hong Kong’s rule of law has been pushed to the brink of total collapse as masked rioters recklessly escalate their violence under the hope that they can get away with it,” he told reporters, adding that Monday’s attack on the pro-Beijing supporter was being investigated as attempted murder.
Speaking at the same conference, Supt Li Kwai-wah defended the officer’s decision to shoot the protester on Monday.
“We found out that our colleague did not only face threat from one person, instead it was a group of people with an organised plan attempting to steal the gun,” he said.
“In a situation like this, we believe our police are reacting according to the guideline, to protect themselves as well as the people around them.”
Both the protester and the pro-Beijing supporter remain in hospital, with the latter in a critical condition.
Clashes erupted at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, with police firing tear gas to disperse students, while at City University there was standoff between students and riot police which continued throughout the day.
Police continued to use tear gas to try to disperse the protesters. -BBC
