Violent clashes between the Hong Kong riot police and pro-democracy demonstrators erupted early Sunday ahead of a scheduled talk that seeks to find a resolution to the deepening political crisis in the former British colony.

The protests took a violent turn Friday after the Hong Kong government decided to pull out of negotiations.

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Late Friday night, a fresh wave of protesters swarmed the streets of the Mong Kok district, stirring violent street melees between student protesters who have reportedly become increasingly more willing to confront the Hong Kong riot police.

Four people were arrested on Sunday morning, adding to the dozens detained since the protests entered their fourth week. Meanwhile, 22 police officers are reported to have been injured during the two nights of clashes, while an unreported number of protesters were said to have sustained injuries as well.

Mong Kok district was calm on Monday morning with the crowds thinning significantly, although scores of demonstrators remained camped in the streets. Hopes of resolving the crisis rest on Tuesday's talk between the government and handful student leaders, demanding for a democratic ballot on the 2017 elections.

Carrie Lam, the second highest official of the city and a negotiator for the government, expressed hope of resolving the crisis. In a statement, she said there has been significant progress made ahead of the negotiations.

Hong Kong protesters are not as hopeful, though.

A professor at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, Sonny Lo, told Reuters that unless the government is willing to comprise, there will only be a continued resistance from the students.

He warned of the crisis becoming more difficult to handle if the government refuses to give in to the students' demands-something that it has so far appeared prepared to do.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's chief executive Leung Chun-ying, who has been resisting the protesters' call for resignation, indicated that more time is needed to broker a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

The city's embattled police have struggled to stop the protesters, which they say has become more radical. Breaking his silence on Saturday, Hong Kong police chief Andy Tsang said the "extremely tolerant" police forces have failed to curb the violence arising from the protesting crowds.

TagsHong Kong pro-democracy, Hong Kong crisis, hong kong protests