En Clair
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
696
IMMEDIATE
HONG KONG TO
Telno. 279
5 March 1968
Hw
UNCLASSIFIED
You should be aware that there was an incident this morning in Kun Tong on the outskirts of Kowloon which arose as a result of an attempt by the police to obtain the particulars of the drivers of some 9-seater vans which were committing a traffic offence. The drivers refused, and one was arrested. Later a hostile crowd composed mainly of other drivers went to the police station to demand his release, apology and compensation. They were repeatedly asked to disperse but refused. The situation developed to the point where riot police were forced to fire 12 tear gas shells and they arrested 8 persons. The situation is now quiet. All nine have appeared in Court and have been remanded in gaol custody.
2*
It is noteworthy that the midday pro-Communist Cheng Wu Pao produced a special sheet which described the incident in the most sensational and distorted terms. It used such phrases as gun shots were fired indiscriminately and Kun Tong is smeared with blood. A partial curfew is imposed in Kun Tong, people are prepared to raise their protest again in the afternoon. The pro-Communist New Evening Post and Tin Fong however are less sensational but give a predictably tendentious version of the story.
Sir D. Trench
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.0.
H.K.D.
I. & G.D.
Defence Dept.
J.I.R.D.
O.L.A.
O.P.A.
J.I.P.G.D.
News Dept.
F.E.D. News Dept.
DIS. MOD.
PA
ANG.
6
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R
69
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[ADVANCE COPIES SENT]
- 6 MAR 1968
HWA 1/1
F.0.
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