Hong Kong police on Monday stressed that it is illegal to intentionally burn, destroy, trample on, tarnish, insult the National Flag and National Emblem.

The police will not allow anyone to desecrate these national symbols and will deal with any violations seriously and according to law, Kong Wing-cheung, senior superintendent of the police's public relations branch, told a press conference.

"It's been three months since Hong Kong has been gripped by a spiral of violence," Kong said. "Peaceful protesters have been hijacked by radical protesters to commit destructive acts like arson, property destruction, hurling of petrol bombs and indiscriminate attacks on innocent citizens. I must emphasize no excuses, no propaganda can justify or glorify such acts of violence."

Kong appealed to the public to cut ties with criminal elements and join the police in condemning the violence, which continued at the weekend, when 82 protesters were arrested – 71 males and 11 females, aged between 13 and 64.

They were held on charges including carrying illegal weapons, assaulting police, unlawful assembly, insulting the national flag, misconduct in public places and dangerous driving, he said.

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Violence flared again at weekend 

On Saturday, radical anti-government protesters threw petrol bombs at police officers and vehicles, and even attempted to snatch the revolver of an officer, attacking him with hard objects, hiking sticks and umbrellas.

"Can you imagine the consequence if a loaded firearm fell into the hands of these rioters? In any case, our officers are justified in using appropriate force to contain the situation," Kong said. 

Another alarming incident that showed signs of escalating was the use of indiscriminate violence against innocent bystanders. 

Many rioters assaulted people who hold different views. 

On Sunday, some rioters harshly beat up a man who was suspected of tearing down anti-government posters from a wall, leaving him with bloody injuries after publicly shaming him.

"All these acts will only push to the verge of man-made disaster," Kong said.