'Tens of thousands' of protesters to rally in Hong Kong as Legco votes on election reform
Activists on both sides said they would demonstrate for several days next week as legislature takes up democracy reform package
Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to turn up at rallies for and against the government's political reform package next week when the Legislative Council is to debate and vote on it.
Police have received special training in anticipation of possible clashes, said Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok, adding that the government had also conducted risk assessments in order to prepare for possible emergencies.
Lai said Hongkongers were "highly concerned another round of occupation could take place". He warned protesters to "keep a distance" from radicals who may infiltrate the crowds during demonstrations.
"If there are any illegal acts, police will do all they can to go after those who break the law," Lai said at the weekly Legislative Council meeting yesterday. He declined to give details of the operation plan.
Police sources have said more than 7,000 officers equipped with riot gear such as canisters of tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray, will be prepared for possible chaos. Demonstrators who occupy carriageways illegally will be removed immediately.
Lai's comments in Legco came as the opposition group Civil Human Rights Front said it expected 50,000 people to participate in its five-day rally against the reform proposal for the 2017 chief executive election. That protest is to begin on Sunday and run to Thursday, the second day of the reform debate and the day the vote is expected to take place.
The group said police had issued a letter of no objection for its application to hold the rally at the areas outside the Legco complex, including the public demonstration zone.