Hong Kong police must be empowered to disperse protesters before they become a mob

A protest that goes on for more than one week can never be peaceful. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor should have learned that after nine weeks of mayhem.

The way forward is steadfast force. Lam should appear on television daily to educate youngsters on the rule of law. She should station police at trouble spots around the clock. On August 5, I was forced to cross Nathan Road in Mong Kok diagonally at 4pm after protesters shut down the area. There was no police in sight.

Lam is crying over spilt milk. Why doesn’t she control the crowds before they morph into a mob? She waits for protesters to develop critical mass before sending in the police. At present, the police arrives hours after protesters have gained a mob strength.

Prevention is better than cure. To prevent bloodshed and civil war, Lam should embolden the police now, or she should resign and go into exile.

She must resist deployment of the Chinese army on the streets. Instead, she should empower the police to control the mobs. For instance, she could permit them to fire live rounds in the air, with the secretary for security providing justification later.

The police should charge more people with rioting and the courts should process the cases swiftly.

Restore law and order by force and dialogue simultaneously before Hong Kong becomes an international disgrace.

Pervez Akhter, Yau Ma Tei

Indiscriminate use of tear gas is shocking

I am a Malaysian and a frequent visitor to Hong Kong who was badly affected by the police’s firing of tear gas in the tourist area of Mong Kok on August 5, which resulted in a respiratory tract infection. According to the Chemical Weapons Convention, the use of tear gas is prohibited in war. It may have serious long- and short-term health effects on citizens and tourists alike in Hong Kong.

It is shocking that Hong Kong, a modern city, would condone such irresponsible behaviour by the police. I plan to seek legal opinion on further steps I can take.

Michael Yang, Mong Kok

Laser pointers can enlighten students, don’t ban them

A laser pointer (“Laser pointers are in the spotlight in Hong Kong’s protests”, August 8) is to a teacher or lecturer what a stethoscope is to a doctor. Without a laser pointer, we can have no overhead presentations. Until we have legislation specifically banning dangerous models, the mere possession of laser pointers cannot be illegal. Punishment should only be directed against their harmful use. Just as the human hand can be used to punch someone or offer a handshake, the laser pointer is innocent. Please do not criminalise this symbol of education and enlightenment.

Wen Zhang, Yuen Long