Protests grow fierce in Hong Kong over extradition law, attempt to storm Parliament

The Asian Age With Agency Inputs

World, Asia

Police used tear gas, pepper spray and batons to disperse crowds of black-clad demonstrators, most of them young people and students.

Protests that sparked off on Sunday after a proposed amendment to the extradition law that involves extraditions to any jurisdiction with which it does not already have a treaty, including mainland China for the first time. (Photo: AFP)

Hong Kong: Violent clashes broke out in Hong Kong on Wednesday as police tried to stop protesters storming the city's parliament, while tens of thousands of people blocked key arteries in a show of strength against government plans to allow extraditions to China.

Police used tear gas, pepper spray and batons to disperse crowds of black-clad demonstrators, most of them young people and students, calling for authorities to scrap the Beijing-backed law.

Clashes broke out shortly after 3:00 pm (0700 GMT) -- the deadline protesters had given for the government to abandon the controversial bill.

Rows of riot police were quickly outnumbered by protesters -- many wearing face masks, helmets or goggles -- who gathered in the centre of the city ahead of a scheduled debate in the city's legislature.

Protests that sparked off on Sunday after a proposed amendment to the extradition law that involves extraditions to any jurisdiction with which it does not already have a treaty, including mainland China for the first time.

Tens of thousands of people marched in blazing summer heat through the cramped streets of the financial hub's main island in a noisy, colourful demonstration calling on the government to scrap its planned extradition law.

This was one of the biggest public backlashes against the city's pro-Beijing leadership in Hong Kong in years, with more than a million people coming out to support the peaceful protests.

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