HONG KONG: Riot police fanned out across a Hong Kong town on Tuesday (Jul 21) to stop rallies marking the one-year anniversary of an attack against protesters by government supporters which sent anti-Beijing sentiment soaring.
Officers used pepper spray to disperse small groups of protesters and reporters inside a mall in the town of Yuen Long, near the border with mainland China
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Dozens were stopped and searched, while officers also used loudhailers to warn people against "unlawful assembly".
Police issued spot fines under emergency anti-coronavirus measures banning groups of more than four people when activists tried to hold a small rally.
READ: Hong Kong journalist live streams being attacked at train station
The attack inside Yuen Long station was a pivotal moment in last year's huge protests, compounding already swirling animosity towards the police and heralding a dramatic increase in political violence.
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At least 40 people were injured when a group of stick-wielding men set upon protesters returning from a rally in the city.
Riot police enter a shopping mall in Yuen Long to dispere an attempt by anti-government protesters to rally. (Photo: AFP/Dale de la Rey)
Videos of bloody beatings went viral, sparking accusations that police were too slow to respond and had allowed the attackers to gather and depart unmolested.
The force denies allegations of collusion and says 37 people have been arrested over the attack – some with links to "triad" organised crime gangs.
Seven have been charged so far.
READ: 45 injured after mob attack at Hong Kong MTR station
In a statement on Tuesday, the police said they "understand the public's concern" and said the investigation had "high priority".
More than 9,000 people have been arrested during protests over the last year, with some 1,500 charged.
Hong Kong police turned out in force to stamp out any attempt at protests in Yeung Long. (Photo: AFP/Dale de la Rey)
Local lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting was one of those beaten in last year's attack.
He was among those fined on Tuesday while trying to hold a small rally outside the station.
"I believe the police cannot face their own dark and ugly side in the Jul 21 attack, so they prevent us legislators from speaking out for the people," he told reporters afterwards.
"But all Hong Kongers have seen it (the attack) clearly last year," he added.
Protesters attend a rally at a shopping mall in HonRead More – Source
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