HONG KONG, Oct. 14 -- Hong Kong's police began removing blockades on all lanes Tuesday morning in Admiralty, the city's business district, as the student-led occupation of main roads in the heart of city entered its third week.

Hundreds of police, some carrying chainsaws, participated in the action. The police say they plan to reopen both tram lanes.

Dozens of police personnel with shields stood by, when others rapidly dismantled barricades thrown up overnight by protesters after clashes on Monday.

The police also used a truck-mounted crane to remove bamboo scaffolding from the road.

The protesters had reinforced their defenses there following clashes on Monday with groups opposing their movement.

Fred Tsui, senior superintendent, said the new structures were extremely dangerous and would block the passage of emergency vehicles.

He said the operation wasn't aimed at removing protesters, but if they tried to resist with force, they could face arrest.

There were few protesters seen during the police action.