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situation on the Border, Lok Ma Chau Station is fitted
with special grilles and gates for purposes of defence against attack from outside. Thus, Indian Police Con- stable B. 543 had complete control of the neighbourhood
of the Station.
The Charge Room where the telephone instrument was located was immediately opposite the Indian Barrack Room where the Indian Police had posted themselves. There
was no reason why the Indian Police should not have held
the Charge Room from the outset. It was not until 5.45 p.m. that they entered the Charge Room and made any
attempt to use the telephone.
The first news of the affair was brought to Sheung Shui Police Station, five miles away, by the married Sergeant Police Sergeant B.135 Mastan Singh, at 5.35 p.m. This Sergeant made his way on foot from the
married quarters to the main road where he obtained con-
veyance in a passing motor-lorry. The Assistant Super- intendent in charge of the New Territories (Mr. Sparrow), happened to visit Sheung Shui Station a few minutes after
this news had been received. He, with Police from Sheung Shui, immediately proceeded to Lok Ma Chau, after having failed to obtain any reply by telephone from that Station. Indian Police Constable B. 543 Dalip Singh was still in
command of the Station. Sergeant Madgwick, assisted by the married Indian Constable, had endeavoured to snipe B. 543, with the Indian Sergeant's rifle, but without success. The Divisional Superintendent in Charge of Kowloon and the New Territories (Mr. Burlingham), proceeded to the scene as soon as he received news of the affair at 7.00 p.m., arriving at Lok Ma Chau about 8.00 p.m. About 7.30 p.m. (dusk) Indian Lance-Sergeant B. 349 Jewan Singh, and the three Indian Constables, succeeded in leaving the Station
by the back gate and making their way to the Indian
married