The Hong Kong police have begun removing the metal barricades lining up the pro-democracy demonstration sites on Monday as the 'Occupy Central' movement enters its third week of paralyzing city streets.

In what appears to be a surprising move from the Hong Kong government, the police were mobilized before dawn on Monday to dismantle barricades in several key locations.

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The move opened one important artery at the heart of the city, while leaving most of the streets where the protesters have set up their camps untouched.

In a statement, the Hong Kong police said they had no intention of removing the protesters themselves, but only to decongest the streets of "obstacles," CNN reported.

No immediate clashes between police and students ensued, but according to The New York Times, at least 50 demonstrators rushed to Mong Kok district to prevent the police from taking down the blockades.

Elsewhere, students attempted to block transit workers from dismantling debris barricading tram rails.

The move from the Hong Kong police has prompted students to voice out their resentment.

One protester told The New York Times of his doubts over the government's intention. He fears that sooner or later, the police will start to take action against the demonstrators.

Benny Tai, the leading figure of the protest and an associate professor of law at the University of Hong Kong, said the police action appeared to carry no intent of clearing the scene.

The protesters called for a new phase of street demonstrations following the government's decision to pull out from negotiations last Thursday.

Over the weekend, protesters swarmed Hong Kong streets demanding for President Xi Jinping to consider the city's appeal for freer elections.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government reiterated China's stance on the Basic Law, the city's mini-constitution that outlines the conditions of the return of the city from Britain to Chinese rule.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Sunday that there is "zero chance" the central government would back down on its decision in August to give the city limited electoral freedoms.    

Protesters of the Occupy Central movement vowed that unless the Hong Kong government agrees to make some concession and decide to represent their cause to the central government, they will continue to occupy the streets. So far, Hong Kong's chief executive appears decided to stick with Beijing's ruling on limited democracy.   

TagsOccupy Central movement, hong kong protests