HK's officials appeal to protesters to leave occupied areas

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Chief Secretary Carrie Lam on Wednesday appealed to protesters to pack their belongings and leave occupied areas before Hong Kong police start clearance operations on Thursday.

Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said on the same day that the police are ready to reopen roads and restore public order on Thursday.

Lai said police will help bailiffs enforce court injunctions on Thursday and reopen blocked roads in Admiralty.

Speaking to the media, Lam said police will first assist in carrying out the injunction order and then clear obstacles to reopen roads.

Lam called on parents, teachers, principals and university heads to contact protesters and students to persuade them into leaving occupied areas.

Noted some student leaders have invited demonstrators to return to Admiralty on Thursday, Lam advised against the move as some radical elements might make confrontation unavoidable, despite the restraint and professionalism exercised by police.

Lai urged protesters to leave the occupied areas peacefully by Thursday morning, and not to block roads, obstruct police or resort to violence.

She also reminded students to leave as soon as possible and to stay away from troublemakers to avoid getting hurt during the police clearance.

Lai reiterated that police officers would take resolute action against anyone who obstructs enforcement of the injunctions, blocks roads, charges at police or disturbs public order.