Squatters vow to fight demolition

Squatters from a Diamond Hill village have vowed to hold off a government demolition squad that is expected to move in and demolish their homes this morning.

Today's operation comes three months after villagers won a temporary reprieve from the bulldozers.

Housing Department officials insist they will not postpone their clearance operation any longer and have urged the squatters to co-operate and move out. If not, they will have their belongings moved for them.

On November 14, more than 700 villagers from 516 families and stores blocked moves by more than 100 Housing Department officers to clear Tai Hom village.

More than 200 families have since moved out. They were relocated to public rental estates and interim housing blocks after an agreement was reached that the clearance would be delayed until after the Lunar New Year.

But the remaining residents have said they will only move when their demands for more compensation and urban rehousing are met. 'It's our home village and we have nowhere to go,' said Law Kwan-charn, spokesman for the Diamond Hill Squatter Village Business Group.