People trapped in PolyU 'stripped of right to vote'

People trapped in PolyU 'stripped of right to vote'

The campus has been left in a state of chaos in the aftermath of an intense fight between police and anti-government protesters last Sunday. Photo: RTHK

People still trapped inside the Polytechnic University campus accused the police on Sunday of stripping them of their right to vote.



A siege of the Hung Hom campus, after a fierce battle between police and anti-government protesters, began last Sunday.



More than 1,000 people have either been arrested or have had their details taken down by officers as they left the campus, but a handful of hardcore protesters are still holed up inside.



Speaking to reporters, a man said more than 30 citizens and students remaining on the campus are angry and frustrated about the siege.



“We condemn the police action, which amounts to false imprisonment. They’re stripping us of our right to vote,” he said.



He said some people who are hiding at various locations of the campus are sick and weak.



“Their mental state is worrying. Some of them don’t want to talk to anyone and refuse to eat,” he said.



Efforts to reach people who are still inside the campus have continued.



The chairman of Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools, Teddy Tang, visited the campus hoping to find people who have remained on the campus.



He said he would be accompanied by a team of lawyers during his search.



Earlier, the new police chief Chris Tang also visited a cordon line outside the campus, where riot police have been stationed.



In a statement, the police have appealed to people who are still staying inside the campus to leave in a peaceful manner, emphasizing the force hopes there’ll be a “peaceful solution” and that it will deal with the situation with “flexibility”.



Police pledge to bring offenders to justice in a fair manner.



But it says those under 18 years old will not be arrested immediately when they leave the campus, although they will be photographed and have their personal particulars registered.



The force says it reserves every right to pursue or take any legal action in the future.