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PART III THE DISTURBANCES
He was struck in the back by one of the demonstrators, who was arrested. This demonstrator strenuously resisted arrest. The photograph of the incident, which appears at Plate 8, and the news film we saw indicate how his struggles may have led some newspaper reporters to jump to the conclusion, which was repeated to us, that he was being pulled by the hair. Three other demonstrators were arrested at about the same time and thereafter the crowd did disperse, although it seems that these arrests caused a considerable measure of resentment and certainly formed an active subject of conversation as well as protest amongst some of the demonstrators when they got together again later that day.
102. The incidents of this evening illustrate how an orderly demonstration may attract followers merely out of curiosity and adventure seeking, and how, in the excitement of a march, these may easily be inflamed by a few speeches and slogans, until any resistance by authority to their movements and actions is greatly resented.
CHAPTER 2.
THE EVENTS UNTIL DUSK ON APRIL 6TH, 1966.
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FURTHER DEMONSTRATIONS
103. Before detailing the events of this, the most significant day, it is desirable to indicate the precautions now taken by the police.
104. Police precautions. In the light of the events which had occurred, the District Commanders Kowloon and Hong Kong Island gave orders before dawn on the 6th to all divisional superintendents to form their District Emergency Force companies. Arrangements were also made for the opening up of the opera- tions room in Police Headquarters and the combined Police and Military opera- tions room in Kowloon Police Headquarters. Owing to shift duties, leave etc. formation into District Emergency Force takes some time, but shortly after 9 a.m. the five Kowloon companies were on standby. Company commanders were briefed on the events which had occurred and additional transport required for all com- panies was ordered to be available at 5 p.m. The Police Training Contingent Com- pany was called in from the New Territories to stand by as reserve Company in Wong Tai Sin Police Station, where it arrived at 11.15 a.m.
105. When the Police Force forms into emergency structure, each division mobilizes a para-military formation of company strength for riot suppression. Each riot suppression company consists of 128 all ranks, comprising a company head- quarters of five and three platoons, each of 41 men. The company is commanded by a gazetted police officer and each platoon by an inspector. Each platoon, in turn, comprises four sections consisting of one NCO and seven men. These are variously armed to reflect the different situations which may be encountered by the company and the different degrees of force required to be used. One section is armed with riot batons and rattan shields; the second with CS tear smoke pistols; the third with
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