The Hong Kong Police said on October 13 that the protesters detonated a homemade bomb in the city's street. The police have informed that the bomb did not cause any casualty or injury yet it is the first time that the protesters have used such a bomb. The protesters who were quite peaceful and carried simple umbrellas for protection from rain and tear gas have turned violent which is evident from their recent retaliation with brandished bricks and sidewalk paving stones, as well as knives and gasoline bombs. Chinese authorities have labeled some of the protesters’ actions close to terrorism and officials in Beijing have warned that the military could intervene in the protests.

Read: Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam Slams US Senator For "Police State" Remark

Mong Kok district of Kowloon, Suryanto Chin-chiu, the superintendent of the Hong Kong police’s explosives disposal unit, said at a news conference that the device was hidden in a bush and was activated by a mobile phone as a police vehicle passed nearby.

Read: US Senator Warns Hong Kong Becoming 'police State' As Thousands Rally

Rising violence

The Police stated that the improvised bomb used on October 13 was highly complicated and required a high degree of skill to be manufactured even at home. It is still unclear what explosive was used in the bomb. Police said that the bomb was in a red plastic bag with wires, a battery, a Nokia mobile phone and what appears to be a circuit board of the kind typically used by hobbyists. Tang Ping-Keung, Deputy Police Commissioner, said at the same news conference that the device was crafted to injure police officers in particular. He further criticized the protesters saying whatever cause they are fighting for their behavior is triad-like. On the same day of the bomb detonation, a Policeman was stabbed in the neck by a demonstrator. Police said that the veins in the officer’s neck had been severed and that he had undergone surgery and was in serious condition at the hospital. 

Read: Hong Kong Gears Up For Pro-democracy Rally After Weekend Of Unrest

Police uses tear gas to control protestors

The Police have been using pepper spray and tear gas as excessive since the early days of the protests. An 18-year-old high school student was also shot in the chest by a police officer this month. The Hong Kong Police have also deployed trucks that fire a powerful stream of dyed water, capable of pushing back crowds and making demonstrators visible later to officers. They have also arrested 201 people, between the ages of 14 and 62 of which 79 were hospitalized. 

Read: Hong Kong Protesters Plan Assemblies In 18 Districts