Pro-democracy Protesters Move Barricade Reinforcements Up Onto An Escalator Near The Government Headquarters In Hong Kong's Admiralty District
Pro-democracy protesters move barricade reinforcements up onto an escalator near the government headquarters in Hong Kong's Admiralty district December 1,2014. Thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists clashed with police early on Monday as they tried to encircle government headquarters, defying orders from authorities to retreat after more than two months of demonstrations. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

Protests took a violent turn after several pro-democracy activists clashed with Hong Kong police force. The police have strongly condemned the incident that saw many people, including police officers, getting injured. The police blame "troublemakers" in the crowds.

According to the Hong Kong police some "radicals" and "troublemakers" among the crowd of protesters asked fellow protesters to bring helmets, masks, goggles and umbrellas in order to surround the Central Government Offices in Admiralty. The Hong Kong police further say some of the protesters incited other activists to violently charge the police. They claim the incident was premeditated and was done deliberately in an organised manner in order to create chaos. The incident has reportedly led to 17 officers getting injured with abrasions to the eye, open wounds, and one officer is said to have become unconscious and taken to the hospital.

The police report does not say how many protesters were injured in the incident. One 30-year-old man is said to have been arrested for "assaulting police." The police have, however, stated they do not want to see protesters, especially students, getting injured. According to the police, students and other activists come in between them and and the "troublemakers."

The Hong Kong police say the violent protests are a deviation from the claims made by the pro democracy activists. The principles of "non-violence," "no charging of Police" and "no vandalism" are said to have been violated. The police claim some rioters stole materials from a nearby construction site to block the roads.

According to the Hong Kong police, the protesters threw water bottles, canned drinks, pepper powder, a powder of "unknown nature," helmets and eggs at the police officers. They also claim protesters used "strong light to obscure the view" of the officers and also sprayed the officers with fire extinguishers. The police say the actions of the protesters go against the principle of "peace."

According to a report by Reuters, the leader of the Hong Kong protest Joshua Wong has asked the government to restart the consultation process. He has reportedly also asked pro democracy protesters to regroup at the heart of the city on Tuesday. The 18-year-old has threatened to go on a hunger strike to allow for free choice of candidates in the elections.

The Hong Kong police have reportedly arrested some of the pro democracy protesters for "possession of offensive weapon," "theft," "disorderly conduct in public place," "unlawful assembly" and other charges in different locations. The police have stated they will allow peaceful means by the protesters to express their view, but at the same time, "stringent enforcement actions" may be taken to protect public safety.