Security officials last night ruled out an amnesty for 4,300 right-of-abode seekers who remain in Hong Kong and warned that removal action was about to start.
The move came as mainland officials reportedly warned that claimants removed after the grace period, which expired at midnight on Sunday, could face a week's jail, a fine of up to 5,000 yuan (HK$4,710), and be barred from leaving the mainland for three years.
Deputy Secretary for Security Michael Wong Wai-lun last night said the abode seekers would be removed.
'With regards to the right of people to remain in Hong Kong, we do not see any room for negotiation,' Mr Wong said.
He said about 4,300 abode seekers remained after 4,700 returned to the mainland over the three-month grace period, during which claimants were exempt from punishment by Chinese authorities upon their return.
Of those remaining, 80 were ordered to report yesterday to an immigration office at the former Kai Tak airport for removal. None of the 80 appeared. Some of their parents joined 800 other parents and abode seekers who staged a sit-in outside the Kai Tak office demanding that officials allow the claimants to stay.
Mr Wong said the 80 would be removed immediately if they were intercepted by police on the street or arrested during special operations by the Immigration Department. He said removals would be carried out in stages and another 50 abode seekers had been asked to report to Kai Tak today.
