Protesters allege disciplined services rift

The Citizens’ Press Conference is the platform for the anti-extradition protest movement. Photo: RTHK

Activist translates for person who claims to be a fire officer

The Citizens’ Press Conference, the platform for the anti-extradition protest movement, has accused the police of mistreating officers from other disciplined services. To get across their message, the activists were accompanied by speakers claiming to be non-police disciplined services officers.



The activists claimed police had obstructed firefighters and paramedics from tending to the injured in Prince Edward station on August 31. They also pointed to the shoving of a fireman who got into an argument with riot police on Saturday, after his fire engine had been hit by a teargas cannister.



The speakers, who wore masks and spoke in altered voices, said they were from the Fire Services Department, the Customs and Excise Department and the Immigration Department.



They alleged the police had used unnecessary force against protesters, made false arrests, and obstructed the work of firefighters and paramedics.



"Regardless of the situation, human lives are - and should be - in the forefront of consideration," said an activist, who was translating for a person who claimed to be a fire officer.



"Yet there are no official guidelines on how to handle unreasonable treatment by the police.



"The fire and rescue representatives also express their discontent with their senior officials grovelling to the police over the other party's wrongdoings against their own men."



They said would not collude with the force.



Following the incident between the fireman and riot police officers, the police and the Fire Services Department issued a joint statement on Sunday saying they "had communicated on the incident and explained to each other on the working situation of their front-line officers.



"Both sides also expressed mutual understanding and respect for each other's work and will continue to work together in the future to stamp out violence."



According to the statement, a fire engine arrived at exit C of the Central MTR Station at about 6.15 pm and the driver remained with his vehicle while the rest of the crew tackled the blaze.



Police deployed tear gas at about 7.30 pm to clear a group of protesters who refused to leave as officers advanced close to Connaught Road Central.



"The fire appliance was accidentally hit by a tear gas round," according to the statement. "The fireman was affected by the tear gas spread through the cabin.



"He subsequently got off the fire truck to express his dissatisfaction to police officers who were performing duties near the fire engine. There was misunderstanding in the verbal communication between both sides. The matter was tackled and resolved at the scene after further communication."