H.K. government denies using triad gangs to break up protests
HONG KONG (AFP) - Hong Kong's security chief furiously denied the government had used triad gangs against pro-democracy protesters Saturday after accusations hired thugs had been brought in to stir up violent clashes.
Two of the city's busiest shopping districts descended into chaos on Friday as groups targeted protesters who have brought parts of Hong Kong to a standstill for the past week.
The protesters are demanding the right to nominate who can run as their next leader in 2017 elections, while Beijing has said only candidates it has approved will be able to stand.
China has accused democracy campaigners of destabilising the city and on Saturday said they were "daydreaming" over the prospect of change.
"The actions taken by Hong Kong police to handle Occupy Central are an inescapable necessity to preserve the rule of law," an editorial in Communist Party mouthpiece the People's Daily said.
Out of 19 people arrested during Friday's clashes, police said eight were suspected triads and Amnesty International blasted officers who "stood by and did nothing" to protect protesters.
