Hong Kong Polytechnic University reopens to some staff and students, weeks after its descent into protest war zone
- Academics and postgraduate students return after campus was devastated by clashes last month
- Violent exchanges of tear gas and petrol bombs last month led to police siege of radical protesters
Staff and doctoral students on Wednesday returned to a Hong Kong university ravaged by protest violence and besieged by police for nearly a fortnight last month, as its Hung Hom campus partially reopened.
After presenting their staff cards or authorisation document, those who worked in cleared areas were let in to Polytechnic University by recently hired security guards at three entrances.
Many were eager to find out how the drama had affected their workplace. Some who were still worried about their safety wore surgical masks, multiple rounds of tear gas having been fired on the campus as radical protesters and police clashed during the mayhem. Occupiers were also accused of removing hazardous chemicals from labs.
Campus cafe and restaurant operators joined those heading back, aiming to assess the damage after losing access to the site more than three weeks ago.
On Tuesday, PolyU management sent an email to staff and research postgraduate students, saying they would be allowed to return to two buildings once they had signed a document showing they understood the risks.