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"Furthermore, according to the advice of the Geotechnical Engineering Office. the slopes affecting the huts are liable to become dangerous.
"For the safety of the residents and the general public, it is necessary to vacate and demolish the structures and to carry out remedial work to the slopes." Mr Kwok said.
Mr Kwok noted that some of the squatters were still unwilling to accept the rehousing arrangement, although they were provided with several choices.
"I hope that the occupants will accept the offers without further delay so that the slope remedial work can commence as soon as possible.
"The Social Welfare Department and the South District Office will also render assistance to them if necessary." Mr Kwok said.
End
210 VMs transferred to Victoria Prison
The operation today (Thursday) to transfer 210 Vietnamese migrants (VMs) from the North Section of the High Island Detention Centre (HIDC) to Victoria Prison was completed around 3 pm.
This group of VMs has been selected for return to Vietnam on two Orderly Repatriation Programme flights to be held over the next two weeks.
The operation had been advanced to this morning following the holding of hostage of a Correctional Services Department (CSD) officer by a group of VMs at HIDC yesterday. The officer was released early this morning after being held for 11 hours.
Passive resistance was encountered during today's operation, with more than 10 targeted VMs and their supporters staying on the hut roofs at one stage. It took CSD officers two hours to remove all the VMs from the roofs. No injury was reported.
As is the practice, the whole operation was observed by independent monitors.