‘Occupy Nathan Road!’: Minibus drivers bring Hong Kong traffic to a halt after an alleged altercation over a motoring offence

Traffic in Mong Kok ground to a halt on Wednesday night as dozens of public minibuses blocked a busy road in protest against police law enforcement.

The clash was triggered when a driver of a red-topped minibus was pulled over for crossing continuous double white lines shortly before 9pm, near the minibus terminal at Langham Place shopping mall on Shanghai Street.

Other drivers were called in by radio and about 20 minibuses were soon blocking all three lanes of the road. Queues of vehicles were backed up along Mong Kok Road and nearby roads, while bus passengers were seen getting off and walking away.

In the subsequent fracas, both sides claimed to have sustained injuries. An officer’s arm was hurt by a moving minibus during an argument, a police spokesman said. He called for assistance and was taken to Kwong Wah Hospital, Yau Ma Tei for treatment.

The driver of the minibus, who was later arrested, also requested treatment and was taken to the hospital.

Another minibus driver, who was part of the impromptu sit-in, said an officer had beaten a driver after issuing a ticket.