DISTRICT board members yesterday demanded the Government shut down Green Island reception centre because of Western residents' fears of another breakout by Vietnamese boat people.
The call came as 87 Green Island inmates who refused to join the voluntary repatriation programme were transferred to the High Island detention centre yesterday.
The chairman of Central and Western District Board, Yuen Bun-keung, said Green Island posed a threat to Western residents.
'We passed a motion asking the Government to shut down Green Island as soon as possible,' Mr Yuen said. 'They don't really need it. The distance between Green Island and Western is too small.' A total of 121 Vietnamese applicants for voluntary repatriation are allowed to stay at Green Island. About 12 inmates are still on the run after 23 boat people escaped on Wednesday.