Tensions spiked in Hong Kong Saturday as paranoid protesters, fearful of a spying campaign by China, sawed down one of the city’s “smart lampposts,” according to reports.

“We don’t want to be monitored; we want human rights,” Calvin Wong, a 24-year-old protester told the New York Times. “Maybe people in the mainland accept this, but people in Hong Kong will not.”

Equipped with sensors, data connectivity and cameras to detect traffic, air quality and weather data, the high tech lampposts are part of a three-year pilot project, authorities have said.

In an effort to stymy the demonstrations, which have consumed the city for more than two months, Hong Kong’s government-owned subway system shut down service to the protest area.

The company has faced past accusations from mainland Chinese media of helping the dissidents.

Two weeks of more peaceful protests ended Saturday, with the lamppost attacks and demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails and gasoline bombs at police, Reuters reported.

Hundreds of demonstrators, wearing black and armed with bamboo poles and wearing gas masks and helmets, fought with baton-wielding cops after marching in protests of the allegedly spying lampposts.

Police fired tear gas at the protests in response.

The altercation took place on Hong Kong’s Kowloon peninsula.

Most of the drama unfolded outside a shopping mall and police station, according to the Agence France Presse.

In a statement, Hong Kong’s government confirmed the use of tear gas and said it had been necessary to secure public safety.

“Some violent protestors maliciously damaged lampposts … and vandalized government properties, neglecting other road users’ safety,” they added.

“Police appeal to other peaceful protestors to leave the area immediately and strongly condemn all unlawful acts.”

On Friday, protesters formed a human chain dubbed “The Hong Kong Way.” The demonstration was a reference to the 1989 Baltic Way” human chain protesting Soviet control of the Baltic states during the Cold War.

With Post wire services