Page 59 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

Disturbances and strikes, 1953-1954 45

111/46/54) ritish Residency,
Despatch No. 75
CQNEIDENTIAL - Bahrain. n
P ft \*)\ o <K
July 20, 1954/ U-
°v

0 i.r,
I reported in my despatch No. 63 of June 23
a conversation with the Ruler of Bahrain about communal
tension between the Shia and Sufini'sects, each of which

comprise roughly one half of the population of the
island. The anxiety which I expressed to the Ruler
on that occasion was unfortunately borne out only too
soon by the rioting and strike which occurred at the
beginning of this month. I have summarised those

events by telegram. I now have the honour to submit
a more detailed account.
2. As a result of the fight at Sitra mentioned
in my despatch under reference eight Shi1is and three
Sunnis were put on trial. The trial was held in the
Police Fort on June 30. This place was chosen, perhaps

unfortunately as it turned out, in ordor to give more
room for the court and with an eye to greater security.
The choice of site naturally encouraged the Shia to
feel that their men would not get a fair trial, and a
crowd of some three hundred Shia, some of them from the

village near Sitra from which the accused men came,
gathered round the court room. The court sentenced one
Shia to three years' imprisonment and a fine of three
thousand rupees (or an additional year in prison) and
three others to two years' imprisonment and a similar
/fine.

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