The Kwu Tung villagers say they will rebuild their homes on the same site despite the government warning. Photo: RTHK
People whose squatter homes near Sheung Shui were demolished last week say they're not being allowed to rebuild them at the same site.
Their homes in Kwu Tung Village were bulldozed without warning by an unidentified group, and it’s thought to be connected to a land dispute.
The affected villagers met with officials from the Lands Department's Squatter Control Office, and were told that they need the land owner's permission to rebuild their homes there.
The families do not have ownership of the land as they’ve simply occupied the site some 50 years ago. They’re currently engaged in a legal battle to seek adverse possession of the plot.
The Democratic Party's chief executive Lam Cheuk-ting, who’s been assisting the villagers, says the government’s decision sets a bad precedent and would encourage more land owners to resort to illegal demolition to force villagers out.
He said the affected families will continue to rebuild their homes regardless of the government's possible action.
A man was arrested last week in connection with the illegal demolition.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1250330-20160323.htm
