HONG KONG — Anti-government protesters planning a mass rally in Hong Kong’s northern town of Yuen Long this weekend to condemn last Sunday’s (July 21) vicious attacks on train passengers by a rampaging mob have been cautioned over the risk of further violence, with one pro-establishment lawmaker from the district warning of dire consequences if participants heed online calls to damage village properties.

Saturday’s planned protest was already causing concern on Tuesday as two local residents submitted an application to police for the march to the site of the attacks. About 100 men in white T-shirts assaulted anyone they came across at the MTR station with sticks and metal rods, leaving 45 people injured.

While it was business as usual in Yuen Long on Tuesday, after it was transformed into a ghost town the previous day, rumours were rife online about the possibility of further violence, contributing to an atmosphere of fear in anticipation of the weekend.

The Education University and the University of Hong Kong offered to help students in need, including hostel accommodations, if they were afraid of returning home to Yuen Long.

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said his bureau would also offer advice to schools in Yuen Long concerning their summer activities, with parents worried about their possible exposure to further violence.

Police, who have been heavily criticised for turning up too late to stop Sunday night’s mayhem, arrested five more suspects on Tuesday, raising the total to 11. Police sources said that 10 of the attackers had fled the city.

As public anger continued to boil over the attacks, there were calls online for a protest on Wednesday morning against the MTR, with many blaming the railway operator for failing to protect passengers that night.

Some set up a Lennon Wall at a bus terminal under the Yuen Long MTR station, posting messages urging the railway company to bear responsibility and saying “no terrorism”.

The fallout from the attacks also claimed an unlikely casualty on Tuesday – veteran journalist Arthur Shek Kang-chuen quit the Hong Kong Economic Times newspaper group he co-founded over remarks he made at a pro-government rally last weekend that protesters should be caned like undisciplined children.

One of those planning the coming Saturday march, Tuen Mun resident Michael Mo Kwan-tai, said he had applied for approval to start near the Yuen Long police station and end about 1.4km away at the MTR station.

Apart from the regular demands of the anti-extradition movement for a complete withdrawal of the bill that would allow the transfer of fugitives to mainland China and for an independent inquiry into complaints of police brutality, Mr Mo said they were also seeking a full investigation into the Yuen Long rampage.

Asked if he was worried about violence breaking out during the march, Mr Mo promised it would be “peaceful, rational and non-violent”.

Calls online to “take revenge” on rural powers allegedly behind the Sunday attacks have been causing particular concern.

A list of targets, including the graves of the parents of rural leader and pro-government lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu and ancestral halls in rural communities, had been circulating online since Sunday.

The tombstones of Mr Ho’s parents were ultimately desecrated on Tuesday, prompting a firm condemnation from the lawmaker.

Another pro-government lawmaker and rural leader, Mr Leung Che-cheung, warned there would be dire consequences for those who entered villages and damaged properties.

“Thousands of villagers will come after you, you will not make it out,” Mr Leung said.

Council Front lawmaker Eddie Chu Hoi-dick of the pro-democracy camp also urged protesters not to heed calls for revenge.

“If you go mess with their historic buildings, you will only justify villagers’ calls to protect their community,” Mr Chu said.

Instead, Mr Chu said, protesters should focus on making their demands clear and call for a probe into who orchestrated the Sunday attack. SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST