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In response to media enquiries, a Government spokesman said that the clearance operation today (August 3) at Tsz Tin Tsuen was necessary in order to make way for site formation work for the construction of about 5,000 public rental housing units by 2016.
During the joint departmental operation today, the Government took over nine vacant properties of households and business undertakings in the village. These occupants have accepted the Government's offer.
"There was no damage to units of occupiers who have not accepted the Government's offer," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said that the Government would continue to persuade villagers to accept the offer and stressed that any further delay would cause slippage in the public housing project.
"We will resume the clearance operation after a reassessment of the situation," he said.
Ends/Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:21
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