TNAG-0118-FCO40-154-Disturbances-1967-1968-1969 — Page 103

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

and assaulted the driver as well as a soldier in uniform who was pass- ing at the time. On the 11th a bus driver was hit on the head by a missile thrown at him; and a packet containing inflammatory literature ---and three live snakes-was thrown into the cab of another bus.

123. On the following day there was sporadic rioting during which buses, taxis and private cars were overturned or set on fire. The Post Office at Un Chau Street was damaged by fire but other buildings were not attacked. The Police used gas, baton shells and greener guns and carbines to disperse the crowds; two rioters were killed.

124. During these four days one policeman and seven rioters were killed and over 60 people were injured. Extensive damage was caused to buildings and other property, to public transport vehicles and to Government and private cars. Curfews were imposed on the northern area of Hong Kong Island on the nights of 11th and 12th July and in Kowloon on the night of 12th July. It was perhaps the most vicious rioting that had taken place since confrontation began and it reflects great credit on bus and tram drivers that they kept going in spite of the constant attacks to which they were subjected.

125. On 12th July the acting Colonial Secretary announced in the Legislative Council that the Government was determined to grasp and maintain the initiative. Up to this point the various phases of the com- munist attack had been contained but the Government forces had been on the defensive. The Police had been under a severe strain and public morale had suffered from the constant pressure, both physical and psychological, to which it had been subjected. The announcement that Government intended to counter-attack and the vigorous measures that were immediately put in hand had a tonic effect on both the Police and the general public.

126. On the night of the 12th a strong Police party, backed up by the army, made simultaneous raids on the premises of the Motor Transport General Workers Union at Wan Chai and at North Point. No resistance was offered at either place. A number of persons found on the premises were detained for questioning and many home-made weapons, including 80 spears, were found as well as stocks of inflam- matory documents.

127. A second raid, which was mounted in the early hours of the 14th July against the Kowloon Dock Amalgamated Workers Union and

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