Police fires tear gas, water cannon

By Lee Shi-Ian

KUALA LUMPUR: Police fired tear gas and sprayed water cannon after protestors broke through the barrier at Dataran Merdeka at about 3pm.

Earlier, the crowd flooded Jalan Tun Perak along with their leaders. The leaders told the crowd to sit down and protest but they instead charged through the police barricades.

Police then fired several rounds of tear gas while water cannon were deployed.

The supporters ran towards Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Tun Perak, towards Jalan Pudu.

FRU personnel, armed with batons and shields were then seen patrolling those roads to keep supporters away from Dataran Merdeka.

Police also made several arrests.

*Update: A mob attacked police car near Sogo. Car went out of control and crashed into an eatery, injuring several patrons. Protesters turning violent, throwing water bottles and tin cans at police.

Meanwhile, a TV Hijrah cameraman was attacked by protesters in front of Sogo when he took a footage of a policeman being whacked by the protesters at around 4.15pm. The cameraman suffered severe injuries to his head.

Previously, as at 1pm, the areas around Dataran Merdeka is still under control with no reports of any untoward incidents.Police are still on full alert and conducting constant monitoring of supporters of Bersih 3.0, who have gathered in several locations in the city centre.

The main priority for police is to ensure that public order is not disrupted by any party.

Thus far, police estimate the number of people who have gathered for Bersih 3.0 at 25,000.

Police will not tolerate any attempt by Bersih supporters or anyone to breach the court order and enter Dataran Merdeka.

A large crowd from KLCC have been stopped by police barricades near the Maybank headquarters.

Bersih supporters are also making their way from Brickfields and Central Market.

Jalan Tun Perak right up to Jalan Raja filled with supporters waiting for instructions from their leaders. Datuk Ambiga and Chua Jui Meng spotted at Central Market carpark. They are being joined by large crowds coming in from Kotaraya side while Mat Sabu is at Masjid Negara.

FRU officers and water tankers are behind the barricades at Dataran Merdeka.

At 2.50pm, Datuk Ambiga and the opposition leaders told the crowd to disperse and left soon after that.

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