Hong Kong demonstration: Police fire tear gas shells at Yuen Long rally

Demonstrators had been marching through the northern district of Yuen Long, condemning an assault on pro-democracy protesters by armed masked men that took place there last week, reported BBC.

The Hong Kong Police tweeted: "Police has been carrying out a dispersal operation eastward in Yuen Long since 1700 hours today (2019-07-27)with tear gas used. Violent clashes broke out at various locations as some protestors removed fences from kerbsides and used mill barriers to block roads."

The police said some protesters hurled bricks and hard objects at the cops and charged at the police cordon lines.

"Some hurled bricks and hard objects at Police and charged at the Police cordon lines. To prevent further deterioration of the situation, Police appeal to members of the public to leave in the eastern direction towards the Yuen Long MTR station and avoid travelling to Yuen Long," the police said.

Hong Kong has witnessed anti-government and pro-democracy protests in recent times.

The protests were sparked by a controversial bill that would have enabled extraditions to mainland China. The government has since halted the legislation - but protesters are now also demanding an inquiry into police violence, democratic reform, and that the territory's leader Carrie Lam resign, reported BBC.

Police had reportedly banned Saturday's protest as they feared it might trigger violent clashes between protesters and residents.