Traffic resumes after Hong Kong clears protesters

Hundreds of police officers, some armed with chain saws and bolt cutters, yesterday methodically dismantled barricades and tore down canopies

Traffic was back to normal today in Hong Kong's financial district after authorities demolished a protest camp at the heart of the city's two and a half month pro-democracy movement.

Hundreds of police officers, some armed with chain saws and bolt cutters, yesterday methodically dismantled barricades, tore down canopies and removed banners in a daylong operation to shut the protest site sprawled across a normally busy highway.

Police said 249 people were arrested for unlawful assembly and obstructing police officers, bringing the total number of those detained since the movement began 75 days earlier to about 900.

There were no violent clashes seen in previous confrontations. The student-led protesters had occupied streets in the Admiralty neighbourhood and two other areas since September 28 to protest Beijing's restrictions on the first election of the city's top leader.

"It's now convenient for everybody, but I also feel very unfortunate that we can't argue with the government," said Ngai Tsui-kuen, a courier.

The unprecedented campaign, which began as separate protests led by student and activist groups, got a jumpstart in September when police fired dozens of tear gas rounds on a group of demonstrators angered over the prolonged detention of key student leaders.

The resulting movement paralyzed traffic, polarized public opinion and, activists said, marked the start of an era of civil disobedience in Hong Kong, an orderly Asian financial hub where residents are increasingly worried about mainland China's increasing sway.

It also adds to the challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has taken a tough stance against dissent in other regions at the country's edges.

Yesterday, hundreds of demonstrators heeded police warnings to leave the protest zone to avoid being arrested, but dozens remained on the street.

They chanted "I want true democracy" and "We will be back" but offered no resistance as they were taken away one by one, many lifted off the ground.

"I feel very sad because it seems that the whole occupy movement is over," said Mo Lau, a student. "But I believe that we will see more actions as our demand has not been addressed. In the short term, I think there will be a lot of demonstrations or protests.