Hong Kong police regained control of the streets at the pro-democracy protest camp in the Mong Kok district.  What started out as an unopposed clearance operation turned into clashes as straggler demonstrators tried to hang on to the streets.

Cops arrested at least 116 protesters, including two prominent student leaders: Hong Kong Federation of Students said its leading activist Lester Shum was detained, along with Joshua Wong of the Scholarism movement.  Offences include assaulting police, weapons possession, and obstructing officers. 

Tuesday’s operation went fairly smoothly, until night when about a thousand protesters streamed in to Mong Kok to defend the protest camp.  At one point, they forced police back, but the victory was short lived.  Officers returned with pepper spray and batons, and a good time was had by all.

Protesters demand free elections for Hong Kong chief executive in 2017, Beijing says only pre-approved candidates can appear on the ballot.