The police are investigating whether the unrest in Mong Kok last month was planned or funded by specific persons or organisations, Secretary for Security Lai Tung-Kwok said at the legislature on Wednesday.
His statement comes as a response to Legislative Council member Wong Kwok-kin’s question. Wong asked if the police were investigating whether anyone was directing, organising or funding the clashes and, in particular, whether there were “foreign forces” involved.
“Just as Legislative Council member Wong has said, we are investigating further in this area,” said Lai. “If our investigation shows enough evidence, and we lock down suspects. The police will follow the law and arrest them.”
“The police have said that they do not rule out the possibility that there is organisation and planning involved in the event,” he added.
He rejected calls from Legislative Council members for a panel to investigate the Mong Kok unrest, saying that “these panels… will shift and blur the focus of the incident when they are discussing the matter.”
He said that “the Mong Kok unrest was a severe incident of violence and the first responsibility of the police is to investigate and find the culprits and take them to court for a fair trial and judgment.”
The Mong Kok unrest broke out between protesters and police when the government tried to clear street hawkers from Mong Kok on the night of February 8. Since then, 73 individuals thought to be involved in the incident have been arrested.
