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Villagers declare war on plan to change inheritance rules

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NEW Territories residents vowed yesterday to fight to the end the legislature's attempt to eradicate the law banning women from inheriting rural land.

Seven hundred villagers, mostly men, stood and applauded for minutes as patriarchs declared ''war'' against any change during a three-hour emotional assembly in Yuen Long.

Some villagers threatened to burn those legislators supporting the amendments, as they vented their anger in Lut Sau hall.

Yesterday's gathering was the first of several to be held in the New Territories to oppose the changes.

The male-dominated Heung Yee Kuk, a government-recognised body representing rural interests, will hold a special meeting on April 26 to plan action.

Liberal Party legislator and the kuk's chairman, Lau Wong-fat, said he would resign from his party should it back the amendments to the New Territories Land (Exemption) Bill.

''They [legislators] can do whatever they like in the chamber. But all us indigenous residents in the New Territories will ignore them,'' said Mr Lau, an influential landlord and a Hong Kong Affairs Adviser to China.

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