Lawyers question police clearance of Mong Kok protest site

Lawyers and demonstrators lambasted the police's clearance of the Mong Kok protest site - an exercise in which at least 148 people were arrested in what pan-democrats called questionable circumstances.

Police also raised legal eyebrows when they arrested three volunteers carrying materials from Mong Kok to the Admiralty sit-in zone on suspicion of theft.

In Mong Kok, officers cleared road blocks located outside the area stipulated by the injunction.

The swift intervention by police in Mong Kok, just five minutes after the bailiffs started their work, stirred the emotions of protesters, who said the minibus drivers' association that launched the injunction had reneged on a promise to remove objects rather than people.

More surprising to the protesters was the presence of about 100 "helpers", said to be authorised by the association.

Student Wil Mak said the rule of law had been trampled on.

"If [police] want to clear us, they could announce we're [breaking the law] and make arrests. There is no need to use the injunction order to hide their intention," he said.