COPY
En clair
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 18 May, 1967.
R.
18
0045Z
PRIORITY
No. 626
Addressed to Commonwealth Office Repeated
11
Peking No. 237 and
CHURATION
(66)
POLAD Singapore No.104.
62
My telegram No. 624 refers.
There were a number of incidents during the late afternoon and evening (17th) in the curfew area of West Central Kowloon in which crowds stoned various buildings including hotels, banks and several Government offices in the Nathan Road area and were successfully dispersed by police using gas shells and wooden projectiles. Several small fires started by rioters were successfully extinguished, Some damage done to traffic lights and road signs etc. The situation appeared to have been exploited by known criminal elements who were encouraging crowds of hooligans in a manner which makeş clashes with the police inevitable.
2.0
Because of regrouping of crowds outside curfew zone, the zone was extended at midnight to include Sham Shui Po, Kowloon Tong, Shek Kip Mei and Lai Chi Kok - that is, North West Kowloon. By 10:30 pm the situation in West Central Kowloon was mainly quiet and in the extended curfew zone activity was confined to scattered and comparatively minor incidents. By 01.00 hrs. (18th) peace had returned to the curfew areas and all but two police companies had returned to base. The curfew was lifted at 04.00 hrs. Total number of persons arrested between 08.00 on 17 May and 06.00 18 May is 131 Four policemen slightly injured, no prisoner casualties, two civilians injured, both hospitalised. 203 gas shells and 125 wooden projectiles fired.
A
3M
Twelve Kowloon schools in vicinity of the Magistracy where the disturbances recommended will remain closed today. All other schools in Kowloon will be opened.
Distribution
H.K. W.I.D. C I.G.D.
LAST
REF
62
J.I.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
Copies also sent to:-
Cabinet Office
Foreign Office
#f
11
11
-
-
D.I.O,
J.I.R.
Mr. de la Mare
Mr. Bolland
Mr. Wilson
Mr. Denson Mr. Foggon
10
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.