Tough remedies required to quell savagery

In five months, Hong Kong, which was regarded as one of the safest cities in the world, has descended into chaos. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government needs to step up its efforts to take control of the situation. Otherwise, the city will go even further down the road of self-destruction.

While the tweet from one media outlet stating the SAR government would introduce a curfew to quell the violence has since been deleted, it is clear that new measures are needed. The violence has escalated rapidly this week, with the rioters targeting universities, public facilities and even innocent people. While it remains to be seen whether a curfew will be introduced, tougher action is undoubtedly called for - the cruelty and insanity being displayed by the rioters show they have become deranged by bloodlust.

On Thursday, dangerous disruptions hit the city's major transport arteries and rail networks for the fourth straight day, affecting tens of thousands of commuters.