Hong Kong police announced Monday that it will use minimum force in removing the road barriers that pro-democracy protesters put up, to allow traffic to flow in two key roads in the city.

During a media conference, Steve Hui Chun-tak, chief superintendent of the Hong Kong police, issued a statement confirming that authorities will use minimum force in taking down the barriers on the road to restore traffic and tram services.

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The objective of the operation is not to dispel the demonstrators, Hui explained. However, he advised the public not to hinder the authorities from doing their duties.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said that while the police takes down the barricades, they will try to avoid getting into clashes with the demonstrators.

On Monday, the Hong Kong authorities conducted an operation to take down 27 road blockades and restore traffic in seven minor roads in the area affected by the weeks-long protests.

When the Hong Kong pro-democracy protest began three weeks ago, they began putting metal barricades in the protest sites. They later replaced them with barricades made of bamboo and other recycled materials after authorities took down the metal barriers.

The demonstrators also strengthened their barricades by cementing them, in preparation for possible police attacks.

On Sunday, a group of anti-protesters allegedly utilized authorities and mobile cranes to dispel occupation protesters and to begin removing roadblocks and demonstrator tents.

Asia Pacific Law Association president Phyllis Kwong announced that she will request a court order that will bar protests in occupied roads. The association is also planning to charge the protesters to recover the losses they incurred worth about US$258 million, Kwong revealed.

Meanwhile, several hundred local authorities were sent to Queensway on Tuesday morning to disperse the protesters who put up barricades in the road.

While the police were taking down the barricades, the demonstrators stayed nearby, yelling profanities at the authorities.

Tagshong kong protests, barricades, pro-democracy protests, HK-China, CY Leung