TNAG-2673-FCO40-3870-Hong-Kong-defence-issues-Internal-Security-Guide-(ISG)-1993 — Page 386

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

Aim

CONFIDENTIAL

OPERATION WAGER

17

Operation WAGER is a contingency plan to hold in custody, pending repatriation, a large number of illegal immigrants (IIs) arrested during a mass influx from China (PRC). The operation is the responsibility of Security Control Committee (SCC), and is complemented by Operations TABLOID (repatriation), DEVRO (reinforcement of the land border) and FISHERSTREET (reinforcement of the sea boundaries).

Background

2.

mass

In the past 30 years, there have been two influxes of IIs over fairly short periods - in 1962, 150,000 people crossed the border in six weeks, with 70,000 detained and repatriated, while in 1979 and 1980, 170,000 IIs were arrested and repatriated. This influx prompted the cancellation of the "touch base" policy in October 1980 and also led to the construction of the San Uk Ling (SUL) Holding Centre, where IIs are detained pending repatriation at Man Kam To Border Crossing Point.

The Threat

3.

Events in the PRC, whether natural, economic or political, might lead to a mass influx of IIs to Hong Kong. Notwithstanding the relationship between the PRC and Hong Kong, there is a possibility that repatriation of IIS might be delayed or suspended. SUL Holding Centre remains in constant use, and has a maximum capacity of 600 persons for short-term duration.

stations in the New

Cells in

police

CONFIDENTIAL

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