A Hong Kong court has granted an injunction on Monday that could allow authorities to clear out pro-democracy protests from the main demonstration site after violent clashes between two sides broke out.

While the court's ruling has provided for certain limitations, such as the need for prior notice before a clearing-out movement can be carried out on protest encampments, many believe the decision reflects the government's increasing need to bring an end to the months-long conflict that has posed the most serious challenge to Chinese control to date.

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Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung took a harsh stand on Monday as he warned that while local authorities have so far, shown tolerance to the protests, they would now be instructed to "enforce the law without hesitation."

He said that the police's tolerance may have been viewed as weakness. He also noted that actions of the protesters were illegal.

The pro-democracy protest - which began more than two months ago - calls for Hong Kong's universal suffrage in 2017, when the region elects its next chief executive. The movement signifies the biggest challenge to China's authority since it took over the former British colony in 1997.

Violent clashes broke out on Sunday night at the main protest site in Admiralty.

The clashes, which ran all through Sunday night and ended on Monday morning, saw more than 58 people injured and at least 39 arrested as protesters engaged local police armed with batons, water hoses and pepper spray.

Some criticized the protests, alleging that the protest leaders had lacked proper planning in attempting to expand the campaign.

Protest leader Alex Chow later apologized to fellow-protesters for the foiled demonstration as he acknowledged that it should have been better planned but placed the blame for the injuries on police violence, saying that the protesters had remained peaceful throughout.

The clashes follow Hong Kong's rejection in granting entry to British officials as part of their inquiry into the region's thrust toward democracy.

China is opposed to the inquiry, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, noting Beijing's right to decide who to let into the city.

TagsHong Kong pro-democracy protests, universal suffrage, 2017 elections, CY Leung, British Visa, UK inquiry into Hong Kong democracy