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Opening remarks by Police Chief Superintendent at press conference
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     Following are the opening remarks by the Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch, Mr Hui Chun-tak, at the press conference today (October 11):

     First of all, I want to point out, large obstacles on the blocked roads are the major cause for serious traffic congestion and chaos, and grievances of the general public. I note that, although protestors allowed eight trams to go through Queensway and return to the Happy Valley depot, they blocked Queensway immediately after. Tram service is now limited to a circular route in Happy Valley and Causeway Bay areas. This is not really useful to residents going to other districts.

     Because of the large obstacles on Yee Wo Street and Queensway, the east-west tram service has been forced to a stop for many days, causing serious inconvenience to the citizens. The serious effect on senior citizens and grassroot people relying on tram service as a major means of transport is so obvious.

     I note that, there are reports in radio, senior citizens living in Eastern District need to see doctors around Admiralty. The large obstacles blocking the roads cause them great inconvenience. You can imagine, people with disability, using walking sticks or wheelchairs, do not have direct road transportation to Admiralty. They lose the right of going out. Is it fair to them?

    People illegally blocking the road allowed only eight trams to return to the Happy Valley depot and blocked Queensway again immediately. This is so clear that they wilfully obstruct the resumption of tram service. Anyone using their own means to control the entry of certain vehicle selectively is irrational, unreasonable and illegal. This contravenes their claim for rights of peaceful protest.

    At present, the large obstacles obstructing Queensway and the roads nearby is not directly related to the major protest locations. They have enough space to express their views. This harassing behaviour is highly unreasonable. I hope people obstructing the roads illegally can remove the obstacles, so that the tram service can resume normal.

    I note that organisers continue to appeal for extending the area of road occupation and even blocking the Central Government Complex or other key buildings. I emphasise, this is an illegal act. The persons occupying the roads illegally must bear the criminal liability. Rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kongˇ¦s success. Every citizen must obey the law.

    The illegal acts are causing a lot of grievances. People going to work, to school, and doing business are all seriously affected. The general public will not accept these extremely irresponsible acts. Some organisations claimed that they might take action to remove the obstacles on their own. I stress that everyone should remain restraint and express their views in a peaceful manner.

    In the past day, Police received a total of 20 reports at the different points of illegal occupation. These include Common Assault, Indecent Assault, Fighting, Criminal Damage and Dispute, etc. Six persons were arrested, including five males and one female, aged between 45 and 60, involving four cases of common assault and one case of indecent assault. Police investigation is still ongoing.

    There are still quarrels and scuffles between people holding strong and different views in Mong Kok. Police have deployed appropriate manpower in the area and other locations to maintain public safety and public order, and prevent any violence.

    Once again, I must emphasise Mong Kok is still a high risk area. Chance of further confrontation is increasing. I urge the persons illegally blocking the roads to cater for the needs of residents nearby, remove the obstacles and relieve the residentsˇ¦ grievances.

    Recently, there have been "Denial of Service Attacks" on government websites. Fifty-four non-government websites were attacked or defaced. Technology Crime Division of the Commercial Crime Bureau has so far arrested eight males and three females, aged between 13 and 39, in nine different locations for the offence of "Access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent".

    Police have also found persons inciting others to join the cyber attack via a social media, and providing tools for such attack. There are people following the instructions, and taking part in illegal cyber attack. But they have not considered the criminal liability arising from such acts.

    Police remind the public, such behaviour is illegal and contravenes the offence of "Access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent". The maximum punishment upon conviction is five years' imprisonment and one million fine.

    The Commercial Crime Bureau has requested the Internet Service Providers to delete the inciting messages and provide advice to relevant stakeholders on handling emergent incident. Police have taken appropriate actions against such attack. No government service is affected.

    I would like to remind the public, do not break the law. Most of the law in the real world is applicable in the cyber world. Do not be incited to join any illegal act. Police will take stringent enforcement actions against such acts.

    The present work of Police is unprecedented. We are committed to our duties and will not tolerate any act of violence. Every frontline officer will discharge his or her duties professionally and impartially, exercising the greatest patience and restraint, striving for the best interests of all Hong Kong citizens.

Ends/Saturday, October 11, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:06

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