TNAG-0012-FCO40-48-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 31

CONFIDENTIAL

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (0.A.G.)

12

JUL

SOISTRATION

Cypher

D. 12 July, 1967.

R. 12

#

10162

190,

300

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 62

13 J. b7

IMMEDIATE

CONFIDENTIAL

No. 1014

Addressed to Commonwealth Office

Repeated

11

#1

11

î

it

Peking No.408,

POLAD Singapore No. 234,

Washington No.224,

Canberra No.60

HWDIIN

(S. of S. please pass PRIORITY to all)

Sitrep as at 12.00 hours 12 July.

There were again disturbances on Hong Kong island

in the eastern areas of North Point and Wanchai, following the same pattern as the previous two nights. A curfew was imposed on the whole of the northern shore of the island from 2230 0430 and order was restored by midnight. The Wah Fung emporium at North Point which was again a focal point for rioters, was damaged by fire.

2.

During the late afternoon there were attacks on buses in Kowloon, By 1830 on the island determined attempts were being made to stop public transport, the main trouble areas being Wanchai and North Point. Many of the more

active members of the mob appeared to be dismissed transport workers and a degree of control was exercised by four motor cyclists all subsequently arrested. The crowds again adopted hit and run tactics with the police, using Communist premises as refuges. Police and public transport were stoned; bottles, including some filled with quick lime, were flung or dropped from buildings and a number of minor fires were started. Police used both tear gas and small arms to re-establish control but there were only minor casualties. An explosion near a police vehicle was probably caused by a home-made bomb which may indicate that these weapons are now to be used in urban areas. Towards midnight, a fire broke out in the ground floor of the Wah Fung emporium. Firemen were hampered by bottle throwing but with police protection succeeded in putting it out. The ground and first floors were damaged. The cause is not certain but it could have been tear gas missiles. By mignight the situation was quiet and it has remained so except for a further case of bottle throwing from the Wah Fung store this morning directed at a police patrol removing posters.

LAST

вспо

CONFIDENTIAL

202

130