TNAG-0003-FCO40-39-Commission-of-Enquiry-into-the-Kowloon-disturbances-addition-1968 — Page 75

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PART III THE DISTURBANCES

55

191. Meanwhile, Yau Ma Tei company had been ordered to support Headquarter company by sweeping eastwards from Reclamation Street to Nathan Road via Nelson Street, Shantung Street and Soy Street. No crowds were contacted in these streets to the west of Nathan Road, but small fires were burning, which obstructed the company vehicles. While the vehicles were held up in negotiating these obstruc- tions, a crowd of youths were seen approaching from the north, pulling various roadblocks into Reclamation Street. This crowd started to stone the vehicles. The police guarding the vehicles gave warnings and, when tear smoke failed to deter the youths, two rounds of ammunition were fired. The crowd dispersed but later another attack was launched on two policemen guarding the vehicles. After this incident, the company joined up with Headquarter company in Nathan Road and moved north.

192. Meanwhile also, further support had been given to the Headquarter com- pany in Nathan Road by the arrival of the Sham Shui Po company which was ordered to take up position in Yim Po Fong Street between Argyle Street and Waterloo Road, to the east of Headquarter company, with instructions to prevent any rioters breaking out into other areas to the east. They encountered no incidents other than a small crowd setting fire to market paraphernalia in Soy Street near Fa Yuen Street, which they dealt with.

193. At approximately 11.10 p.m. Headquarter company was continuing its advance up Nathan Road past the junction with Fife Street. The crowd ahead, although still extremely hostile, was not prepared to stand and resist, but merely obstructed the company's advance by placing obstacles in its path and by stoning it from a distance. By 11.25 p.m. the company had reached the junction of Nathan Road and Bute Street. The main crowd had dispersed and only three small mobs remained active. These were located in Bute Street to the west of Nathan Road, in Lai Chi Kok Road and in the vicinity of the Royal Theatre in Nathan Road. A car was burning in Bute Street and the mob there was dispersed, while attempt- ing to overturn another vehicle. Tear smoke was fired to disperse the three mobs and, although they reformed after the smoke had drifted away, they finally broke up under continued pressure and dispersed. By midnight this area was reported to be quiet and free of rioters.

194. At about 11.50 p.m. the Kowloon City company arrived at Waterloo Road with instructions to drive northwards via Nathan Road and the streets to the west. This company came under immediate attack from small groups of youths; in particular, hostile groups at the junction of Shanghai Street and Pitt Street and at the junction of Canton Road and Pitt Street obstructed the advance of Nos. 1 & 2 platoons and necessitated the use of tear smoke and wooden pro- jectiles. One round of ammunition was used in dispersing a group of youths which emerged from Man Ming Lane and was lighting fires in Nathan Road. During the company's advance they were under frequent bombardment by missiles and refuse

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