Opinion | Hong Kong needs a new chief executive and a new start. Let it be John Tsang

The anti-government protests triggered by the controversial, since-withdrawn extradition bill are now in their sixth month. Following the mysterious deaths of two students, Chow Tsz-lok and Chan Yin-lam, the violence in the city has been threatening to spiral out of control.

On Monday, protesters tried to stage another citywide general strike, blocking roads and obstructing traffic. Amid escalating violence, a student was shot by police with a live round in Sai Wan Ho, and a man was set on fire by protesters in Ma On Shan.

Worse, police attempted to raid universities in Hong Kong, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong turned into a battleground. At a bridge leading to the campus, police fired hundreds of rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets in a matter of hours. Such disproportionate use of force is solid proof that police officers have lost their minds, and are taking out their frustration on students.

However, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor reiterated that she would only consider establishing an independent commission of inquiry after the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) submits its report on police conduct during the protests.

In early September, the IPCC announced that a panel of five international experts would help with its investigation. The panel is chaired by Denis O’Connor, former British chief inspector of constabulary.