News analysis

Hong Kong polarised but sympathy for protesters remains

Survey shows Hong Kongers blame police more than protesters for spike in violence

A woman exchanging a thumbs up with a police officer while walking past him on a footbridge in Hong Kong on Monday. A survey in mid-October by The Chinese University of Hong Kong showed some 41.4 per cent of respondents thought the use of radical tac
A woman exchanging a thumbs up with a police officer while walking past him on a footbridge in Hong Kong on Monday. A survey in mid-October by The Chinese University of Hong Kong showed some 41.4 per cent of respondents thought the use of radical tactics by protesters to be excessive while 69 per cent thought the police were using excessive force. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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As a sign of how polarised Hong Kong's society has become after five months - and counting - of protests, one man was set on fire on Monday and another hit with a brick on Wednesday after they got into arguments with protesters.

The former is in critical condition, while the latter died last night.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 15, 2019, with the headline Hong Kong polarised but sympathy for protesters remains. Subscribe