Hong Kong law enforcers and protesters clashed once again after the latter staged a rally that led to the temporary closure of government offices along Admiralty district's Lung Wo Road, BBC reported.
The incident sparked on Sunday afternoon after protest leaders urged supporters to occupy the street, which houses the office of CY Leung, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
"Surround the government headquarters," protest leader Nathan Law shouted to the crowd according to Reuters. "Participate if you have the equipment, if you can take the risk. We do not encourage you to attack police officers."
Joshua Wong, a student leader who was previously arrested and banned from entering the Mong Kok district appeared before the protesters to motivate the crowd, the news agency reported.
"Today, we have decided to do this because we feel [we] have no other road to take," he said.
The demonstrators responded by moving into the area wearing hard hats and wielding umbrellas.
Due to the volume of the crowd, the government offices were forced to close on Monday morning to protect its employees from potential harm.
The police officers were then called in. Armed with water hoses, pepper spray and batons, they moved towards the protesters in an attempt to drive them back. The incident led to the arrest of over 40 demonstration participants.
By Monday afternoon, the area was cleared and the government offices opened to resume their operations.
Chief Executive Leung then appeared before the press to issue a warning to protesters who are thinking about returning to the scene to stage another demonstration.
The government official implied that in future clashes, law enforcers might use harsher methods to displace the protesters.
"From this day on, the police will take resolute action when carrying out their duties," Leung said. "I call on the students who are thinking of returning to the occupation area tonight not to do so."
"Don't mistake the police tolerance as weakness," he warned.
