Page 53 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

Disturbances and strikes, 1953-1954 39

CONFIDENTIAL
FROM BAHRAIN TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Cypher/OTP FOREIGN OFFICE
AND TfHITEHALL DISTRIBUTION

Mr, Burrows
P, 9.00 p,m, July 1, 195V.
R, 7S51 p.m, July 1, 195V
July 1, 195V,
;
mmeiATs
CONFIDENTIAL

|ddrogged tt tubal telegram No, 159 of July 1 2 %
Rapeatod t$v information to;- Foreign Office ^ |\M/-
BtU,E,0, £ * +
A, 0,0, Iraq. f * ■ $
%
and Baying te;- 8,N,Of Persian Gulf *4l&
My telegram' No, 15jV V i> l T |y P i) ■
For Political Agenxi erfl i°!'°/'z-
After the meeting In the Masque this morning or ends ef Shia
■arohed to the pelioe fort, and were fired on, without order, by
the police, whe thought theaselves about to bo attacked. Throe
Shia1 s wepo killed and three wounded, Tho neb then proceeded
to the Agenoy demanding protection of British soldiers and dis-
araing of the Bahrain police.
2, i was at that tine with the Ruler in Rif a, urging on
him the necessity of announcing reforms in the judicial system^
On receipt of the news of the Incident at the fort, tho Ruler
asked the Political Agent's advice on action to be taken,' The
Political Agent advised hia to issue an ordinance appointing
lanediatoly a carnalttoe to investigate the affair and deteralne
responsibility. The Political Agent advised tho inclusion of a
well-known Bhla, and also collaboration of Judge Haines, Tho
Ruler agreed, and tho ordinance was drafted at once and published
by noon.
3, The Political Agent returned to [? group omitted] and
informed tho delegation of Shias of the ordinance. He tried to
persuade the crowd taking sanctuary in the Agenoy to disperse.
Two bedlqg wero brought to the Agenoy and, after much haranguing,
the crowd was induoed to go and bury them. They will no doubt
return.
V, The Shia crowd are highly excited, and unless the police
■haw great restraint more fatal clashes are likely, Thq pejloo
have been ordered not to interfere with the crowd in the yioinity
of the Agenoy, and the Political Agent has disarmed the Agenoy
police guards, who oeuld not bo trusted not to fire; He is trying
to return then safely to tho police fort.
/5, I trust

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