0003160 G.F. 316
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4.
SECRÉT
During the next few months there were indications that the C. C. A., supported by the militia, was increasing its efforts to prevent illegal emigration across the land frontier. The determination to prevent illegal crossing of the border was reflected in the use of physical force, including firearms in C. T., by C. C, A. and militia on a number of occasions, to effect the arrest of escapees who had reached the Shum Chun River. two occasions there were incursions into E, T. ny civilians from C. T. in pursuit of illegal immigrants. Because of the restraint of British Security Forces there was no clash with the intruders who returned across the border on each occasion within a short period.
On
5. At the beginning of October, tension rose in the Lin Ma Hang
The first area of the border, following the abductions of two local farmers. occurred during the 1st October National Day Celebrations, when a visitor to Mo Lo Yan Village, near the border fence, was seized by local Communists, after allegedly insulting the C. P. G. National Flag, was pushed through the border fence and handed over to militia members from a nearby village in C. T. The second abduction occurred on the 10th October, when a farmer was seized from his house in Mo Lo Yan during the night and again handed over to militia members from the same C. T. village. Both persons are still in C, T,
6.
During the early hours of the 11th October, Security Forces apprehended the persons responsible for these abductions, Enquiries showed that the abductions were the work of criminals, albeit professed supporters of the MAO regime, who sought to hold villagers in the area to ransom; they were not in any way planned by the Chinese border authorities. However, once committed, the C, C. A. and militia certainly condoned these acts. They may have found it difficult to do otherwise in the midst of a general campaign, now underway in the Chinese border ozea, to purge all rightist elements.
7.
These incidents apart, tension has gradually decreased in the area during the last few months ahough minor stone throwing, mostly by youths and small boys, still takes place. Auth 3ritis. propaganda on both sides of the border has virtually disappeared and broadcasts at Lo Wu have dealt almost exclusively with the Cultural Revolution or praise of MAO. Although the sporadic display of posters still occurs at Sha Tau Kok, these have principally reflected the progress of the Cultural Revolution and have been non-inflammatory. No new slogans were painted on the clean railway engine which entered service at Lo Wu on 10th June, 1968, but passengers crossing the border at Lo Wu have been required to chant pro-MAO, anti British and anti-American slogans before being allowed to enter C. T. crew of the shunting engine had been required daily to chant similar slogans but this has not been enforced since 20th October,
The
8. Farmers from B. T. who cross the border at Lin Ma Hang to farm ancestral land in C. T. have been required to recite slogans from time to time, under the direction of the C. C. A. Recently a local militia leader, who has returned from a study and rehabilitation course in Shum Chun, has exerted more pressure on B. T. villagers to attend MAO Study Sessions in C. T. The villagers have so far avoided doing so by refraining from visiting C. T., now that their harvest has been collected, and hope that his enthusiasm will wane before the spring planting this year.
SECRET
/ PRESENT
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