Commuters in Hong Kong argued Tuesday with demonstrators who blocked subway train doors in their latest protest action to demand greater accountability from the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's government.

Service was delayed and partially suspended on the Island and Kwun Tong lines, subway operator MTR said. It cited "a number of train door obstructions" as well as someone activating a safety device at a platform on the Kwun Tong line.

The action targeted rush hour traffic at several stations. MTR responded by providing minibuses to replace delayed trains and normal service was restored by around noon.

Protester Ken Chan said he wanted MTR officials to explain why they allegedly failed to take action on July 21 when a large gang of men in white shirts brutally beat dozens of people inside a train station as a massive protest was winding down.

Hong Kong's government and the central authorities in Beijing have blamed protesters for sparking the confrontation.

Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures An anti-extradition bill protester pour water on tear gas as they attend a march in Hong Kong Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police restrain an angry passenger who tried to fight with protesters who interrupted subway services during the morning commute in Hong Kong on July 30 AP Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters face off with police during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters are seen in a stairwell after one is injured by police during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Riot police fire tear gas at protesters during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Two police officers are surrounded by protesters on a subway platform in Hong Kong on July 30 AP Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers form a barricade during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters employ the help of road signs to form a barricade during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A medic is attended to after being injured by police during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters are seen wearing helmets on a subway train in Hong Kong on July 30 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters smash glass doors and windows of the Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong. 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(Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images ANTHONY WALLACE AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Inside the Legislative Council building EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters put up a sign AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Members of the press take pictures of a protest banner that says 'there are no violent people, only violent governance' EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters storm the Legislative Council building during a protest in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester forces their way through a window into the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers look out from behind windows damaged by protesters in the entrance to the Legislative Council in Hong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers stand guard behind the entrance to the Legislative Council in Hong Kong as protesters try to force entry. One officer holds a sign that reads: "Stop charging or we use force" EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters storm the Legislative Council building during a protest in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters wield makeshift shields during a clash with police on the 22nd anniversary of the territory's handover to China from Britain on July 1 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters holding umbrellas face-off against riot police in Hong Kong on July 1 AP Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters smash a window of the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester wielding a makeshift shield looks back at the damage caused to the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters gather to take part in the annual pro-democracy rally that is held in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the handover of the territory from Britain to China on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers use force in an attempt to disperse protesters during a protest in Hong Kong on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the territory from Britain to China on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Anti-extradition bill protesters stand behind a barricade near the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers look out from behind windows damaged by protesters in the entrance to the Legislative Council in Hong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters try to break into the Legislative Council of Hong Kong during a protest on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the territory to China from Britain on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters rest outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on July 1 EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester shouts in front of police outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A group of anti-extradition bill protesters holding umbrellas gather outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester waves a black version of the Hong Kong flag outside of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on July 1 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Anti-extradition bill protesters march in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the territory's handover to China on July 1 Reuters

"How could they let the triads in white attack people on the platform randomly, including the elderly and children in the train?" said Chan, 32, using the common term for members of organised crime groups. "Some of the elderly got smacked on their heads, but (MTR staff) turned a blind eye to it."

Lorraine Lee, 26, said the subway disruption was an attempt to remind people of the government's alleged failure to deal with social, economic and political injustices.

"The government has not been addressing the problems in our society," Lee said. "That is why now Hong Kongers have no choice but to use different 'creative' approaches to remind people what is happening in Hong Kong."

Video also showed heated exchanges at Tiu Keng Leng station, where a crowd of protesters and commuters filled the platform and a stopped train.

The disruption is part of a pro-democracy movement that has seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets this summer for marches and rallies. The protests have shaken the government in Hong Kong and raised concerns in Beijing. Hong Kong is part of China but has a fair degree of autonomy in local affairs.

Posts on Twitter showed long lines of commuters waiting for free shuttle buses provided by MTR to other subway stops.

Protesters conducted a similar action to block trains last week.

Activists began protesting in early June for the government to withdraw an extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to stand trial in mainland China, where critics say their legal rights would be threatened. The government suspended the bill, but the protests have expanded to calls for democracy and government accountability.

On Sunday, police repeatedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets to drive back protesters blocking Hong Kong streets with road signs and umbrellas.

The protesters have demanded an independent inquiry into police conduct at the protests, which they say has been abusive.

China on Monday accused unidentified foreign actors of encouraging the protests. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Tuesday that the central government "resolutely opposes any foreign forces' attempts to intervene in Hong Kong affairs."

"We have the determination and ability to safeguard peace and stability in Hong Kong," Hua said at a daily briefing.