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Fresh standoff erupts between villagers and property firm over New Territories development

Disputed 5,500-sq-ft plot of land in Fanling draws activists and dozens of security guards as Henderson Land convenes annual general meeting

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Security guards surround a wooden structure ascended by opponents of a development plan in the New Territories. Photo: Felix Wong

A group of villagers and community activists are in a tense standoff with security guards from property developer Henderson Land over a piece of farmland in the New Territories marked for development.

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The activists tried to climb a wooden structure located on a 5,500-sq-ft plot of land in Ma Shi Po village in Fanling around noon Thursday while dozens of masked security guards formed lines to prevent entry.

As a message was broadcast from loudspeakers urging protesters to leave, the activists chanted slogans opposing the development.

The standoff came after Best Galaxy, a subsidiary of Henderson Land Development succeeded in securing an interim court injunction last month against a former tenant, Au Lau-kan, and his associates over the plot of land.
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The injunction, granted by the High Court, effectively prohibits individuals from entering or occupying the land owned by Best Galaxy.

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