80 arrested as Hong Kong authorities clear Mong Kok occupying area

Some 80 people have been arrested as of 8 p.m. Tuesday as Hong Kong's police assisted bailiffs clearing the occupying area in Mong Kok, according to the police.

Hong Kong's Acting Chief Executive John Tsang appealed on the same day that protestors should be rational and restraint and leave the occupying sites as soon as possible.

Bailiffs started to clear the occupying area in Mong Kok by removing barricades on Tuesday morning. The operation started at around 10:30 a.m., after bailiffs read out court injunctions at the scene. About 6,000 police were deployed to the scene to assist the operation.

At least 3 police officers were injured during the operation.

The High Court of Hong Kong granted a preliminary injunction to ban demonstrators from occupying roads in Mong Kok on Oct. 20 after groups of minibus and taxi operators filed for an injunction that would reopen the paralyzed roads.

The high court extended the injunctions on Oct. 27 and secondly extended them on Nov. 10.

Police reiterated on Tuesday evening that they would take resolute enforcement actions against any illegal acts endangering public order and safety.