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Protests in Hong Kong

Hong Kong authorities complete two-day effort to remove barricades

A total of 116 demonstrators have been detained over the past 24 hours in Hong Kong as they clashed with police to protest against the operation to remove barricades

© EPA/JEROME FAVRE

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Police removing barricades in central Hong Kong

HONG KONG, November 26. /TASS/. A two-day operation carried out by bailiffs and police in Hong Kong to dismantle barricades in Mong Kok, one of the key protest sites, has been completed.

The Supreme Court has officially ordered to unblock parts of roads and crossroads in the densely populated Mong Kok area. The order comes following a lawsuit filed by a bus firm and two taxi companies, which have suffered loss amid traffic chaos.

A total of 116 demonstrators have been detained over the past 24 hours in Hong Kong as they clashed with police to protest against the operation to remove barricades.

On Tuesday, more than 20 bailiffs joined by police officers started dismantling wooden and metal barricades in Mong Kok. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, has been hit by protests for almost two months, with demonstrators calling to revise the procedure approved by the parliament on holding elections of chief executive in 2017.

China insists that candidates should be first approved by a special committee, while protesters believe this is an undemocratic procedure and urge Beijing to lift the restrictions.

Although the protests have recently subsided, every day dozens of activists staying in tent camps continue disrupting the traffic in key streets of three protest sites in the city.

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