Letters | Throughout the protests, Hong Kong’s government, universities and police have been reasonable

I am writing to respond to Adrian Lam’s letter “If students want the truth on police action, so must the keepers of the law” (November 1).

I disagree with Mr Lam that the government instituting an anti-mask law was an unwise move. As many radical protesters wear black masks which fully cover their faces, it is difficult for the police to identify who attacked them or engaged in illegal actions. Although the law may be unpopular, it can help the police arrest miscreants more easily.

Moreover, people who have health issues or need to cover their faces for religious reasons are exempted from the law. So the law is quite fair.

Secondly, Mr Lam said universities must offer an independent and a free environment for students to seek knowledge and truth. In fact, universities did hold activities to let the students express their thoughts, such as dialogues between university heads and students. But the students used disrespectful and ridiculous ways to express their emotions. They have exceeded the freedom that the universities have given them.

Thirdly, I don’t agree with Mr Lam that the government must seek the truth by establishing an independent commission to look into allegations of police excesses. In other countries, such as Iran, the police have fired live rounds on protesters. The Hong Kong police have rarely done this and when they did, they provided an explanation.