New Territories villagers celebrating a traditional festival had to play a CD recording of firecrackers going off after more than 100 police stopped them from letting off illegal fireworks yesterday.
The action forced the festival in Shui Tan Tseun off Kam Tin Road to go ahead without real fireworks for the first time in about 100 years.
The villagers, who bought the CD as a precaution against the expected police operation, complained afterwards they were treated 'like criminals'.
Police set up a checkpoint at the entrance to the village two hours before the event began.
Village head Tang Kam-leung said: 'All the villagers and visitors were stopped for identity checks and their bags had to be checked by officers. Vehicles driving into the village were also inspected.
'Many police officers in uniform and plain clothes were deployed to different positions to monitor us. They treated us like criminals.
'We had promised that no firecrackers would be set off during the ceremony. Even though the change might affect our luck, we did not break our promise.'