BUTTERWORTH: Excavators flattened five abandoned houses today at the Rumah Hijau squatters' area in Mak Mandin here.
A roadside empty retailing shed was the first structure to be demolished on the state government land smacked in the industrial area.
A total of 68 houses are slated to be torn down in phases as two excavators rolled into the neighbourhood under the watchful eyes from scores of squatters.
The demolition operation was carried out after eviction letters were issued by the land office on July 27.
The squatters had made the place their homes for over three decades ago.
They were seen talking to the land office officials before the demolition took place to ensure only empty houses were flattened.