The police tweeted: "Police officers are using appropriate force to disperse the protestors. The Police warn all protestors to stop all illegal acts and leave the site immediately. Drivers are advised to avoid travelling to the area and stayed tuned to the latest traffic situation."

Despite organizers not requesting permission from authorities, thousands of protesters marched in Hong Kong's usually busy shopping district on Sunday. It was the 17th consecutive weekend of unrest in an ongoing protest movement that has seen both large-scale peaceful marches and violent clashes with the police, reported CNN.

The people's Republic of China will mark its 70th anniversary on Oct 1.

The violence occurred just two days before the event.

Hong Kong has been witnessing protests since June over a controversial extradition bill.

The bill has now been suspended.

The anti-government rallies are still taking place in the city for the past few weeks as they have now evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement demanding democratic reform and an investigation into alleged police brutality.

Protests have also taken place at the Hong Kong International Airport and other tourist spots in the city.

The protests are a big challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping who assumed power seven years ago.

The protesters say they are fighting to preserve the “one country, two systems” arrangement and a promise of freedom under which Hong Kong was returned to China as a specially administered region by the British in 1997.

The bill would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial if it would have been passed.