Residents protest PP railway station plan
THE construction of a new railway station in Por Sen Chey district prompted more than 60 villagers to protest in front of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction on Wednesday.
A total of 237 families living in the triangle between Tekkhabpanhnhao, Samraong Kraom and Chaeng Maeng villages in Samraong Kraom commune and Kakab village, Kakab commune, said they are affected by the 100ha development project.
Villager Chea Wang told The Post the land has been occupied since 1979. He said ownership was recognised by the government in 1989 after Vietnamese occupation ended through the issuance of land titles popularly known as chicken wing cards.
He said ownership suddenly changed in 2009 when the government declared the area State land to build a railway station.
Wang said locals do not oppose the government’s development plan, but only ask for an appropriate solution.
He said the project only needs about 15ha, according to information he received.
Therefore, the remaining land from this development should be returned to the people.
“Please issue land titles to the people and take only the land needed for the railway station construction. Allocate the remaining land back to the people,” Wang said.
Heng Ratha, a representative who met with ministry officials, said its representative promised to speedily solve the case. Ratha also warned that residents will continue to protest at the Phnom Penh Municipal Hall and the residence of Prime Minister Hun Sen if there is no solution.