FURIOUS Rennie's Mill residents yesterday warned of violent protests to block dredging works off the Sai Kung cottage area until their demands for more clearance compensation are met.
They claimed at least 300 residents were prepared to stage a sea rally to blockade the bay, where two dredgers have been operating since last Tuesday, and might set fire to the barges if they did not leave.
Residents claimed that the barges had no right to start work there without their consent and that their operation had produced noise pollution.
The contractor, Geoworks Contractors Company, denied the allegations and said it was considering applying for court injunctions to ban the protesters from going near its dredgers.
The dispute began on Sunday, when 50 residents went on to one of the dredgers at about 10 pm and scuffled with six crew members.
They claimed they were complaining that the dredging work was so noisy they could not sleep, but said the crew did not listen to them.
Geoworks Contractors said some workers were too scared to return to work and one dredger was stranded yesterday.