Police in Hong Kong have arrested 19 people, including suspected members of triad gangs accused of attacking pro-democracy protesters.

The scuffles on Friday led to the postponement of talks between the demonstrators and the government.

Police officers deny claims that they have colluded with those who used violence against the demonstrators.

Activists are protesting against plans by China to vet election candidates and have been occupying parts of the city.

Hong Kong's leader earlier this week offered talks to defuse the situation in China's special administrative region.

But the clashes broke out as people apparently angry with the disruption caused by the protests tried to dismantle tents and barricades.

On Saturday morning the atmosphere on the streets was calm.

On Friday, the Hong Kong Federation of Students, which was invited to negotiations with the government, said in a statement it had "shelved" the talks. A time and place for the negotiations had never been confirmed.

"The government allowed the mafia to attack peaceful Occupy participants. It has cut off the path to a dialogue, and should be responsible for the consequences," it said.

It was not clear whether the statement reflected the position of other groups involved in the protest.

Occupy Central leader Benny Tai told the BBC they were still only considering a boycott of the talks. However, he said police were not protecting the demonstrators against attacks by their opponents and this situation could not continue.

"It's very, very difficult to maintain any sense of dialogue if the government does not stop these things happening to peaceful protesters," he said.

There was no immediate response from the government to the postponement.

But at a news conference on Friday night, police gave their account of events.

They denied accusations by the protesters that they had acted in concert with forces trying to break up the protest.

They said that among the 19 people arrested eight had "triad backgrounds", referring to local criminal gangs.

Their very presence there is a reminder that not everyone in Hong Kong is on the side of the protesters, the BBC's Martin Patience in Hong Kong says.

At least some of the protesters' opponents appear to be local residents angered by the disruption.

"I don't support Occupy Central. We have to work and make money. Occupy is just a game," said a construction worker who gave his name as Mr Lee, quoted by AFP news agency.

"We Hong Kongers need to eat!" another said.

(BBC)