Hong Kong government calls for immediate end to protests

Hong Kong, Oct 2: The Hong Kong government issued a statement on Thursday urging an end to the Occupy Central protests.

The statement said Occupy Central has taken up various districts on Hong Kong island and in Kowloon for five consecutive days, causing increasingly serious impacts on people's livelihood, Hong Kong's economy and even government operations, Xinhua reported.

The government and the police appeal to those who are gathering outside the Police Headquarters, Central Government Offices (CGOs) and Chief Executive's Office (CEO) not to block the access there and to disperse peacefully as soon as possible.

They called on the organisers of Occupy Central -- an agitation by the people demanding democratic elections in Hong Kong, a former British colony, in 2017 -- and other organisations involved to stop occupying government property immediately.

Those who participated in Occupy Central have claimed publicly that they would escalate their actions to surround government premises including the Police Headquarters, CGOs and CEO.

Protesters have been gathering around these buildings and operations have already been affected, the government said.

In order to continue with its services to the general public, the CGO would need to be in operation as usual on Friday.

Some 3,000 government officials will try their very best to return to work.

If the siege continues and worsens, the access, normal operation and security of the government offices will be seriously affected.

This will affect social order and the provision of government services to the public and society.

In its statement, the government that it hoped that the public would understand that the government has the responsibility to protect these government offices so that these can resume normal operations.

IANS