Taksim Square unrest simmers after police purge There is an uneasy calm in Istanbul's Taksim Square after police fought running battles with Turkish anti-government protesters overnight. By dawn the city's central square was largely deserted allowing taxis to cross it for the first time in nearly two weeks. Tuesday saw some of the worst clashes since the unrest began as police fired tear gas and shot water cannons to clear the area. Bulldozers were also called in to remove the remaining barricades. Trouble again erupted as night fell as a group of hard core protesters returned. Originally, there was a peaceful demonstration against the planned redevelopment of Gezi Park, a leafy corner of Taksim. Its leaders are expected to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday but fears of further violence remain. More about: Clashes and riots, Istanbul, Turkey, Protest, Recep Tayyip Erdogan