Kowloon Rioting Ends

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31030, 9 April 1966, Page 15

Kowloon Rioting Ends

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) HONG KONG, April 8. The situation was quiet today after another night of rioting in the Kowloon area in which one man died from police rifle fire. A curfew imposed during the night was lifted this morning. Three men were wounded when police opened fire on

the rioters last night One of them died in hospital today, it was officially announced. The condition of the other two, however, was described as satisfactory. In addition, two civilians and two policemen were injured in the second night of rioting, which originally started as a peaceful demonstration against a five-cent rise in the cross-harbour ferry fare. A total of 215 arrests were made by police this morning,

bringing the total for the two days to more than 500.

Police estimated having used 280 gas shells, 26 wooden shells and 28 rounds of ammunition to quell last night’s disturbances. Demonstrators set fire to cars, buses, a post office and smashed parking meters, lamp posts, traffic signs and litter bins. They also made bonfires from furniture looted from shops. It has been officially estimated that damage to property was less than that caused daring the previous night’s violence, however. Eye-witnesses said that this was due to the effectiveness of roving police and British Army patrols in breaking up gatherings.