Angry locals burned tires on the Chroy Changva peninsula Friday to protest the building of a road through their village, which is at the center of a land dispute with the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC).
Members of 18 families refusing to make way for the $3 billion development of “Chroy Changva City: City of the Future” said that the fire was lit to get the attention of authorities, who had promised to broker a meeting late last month to discuss compensation for families affected by the development.
“We had to burn the tires because the company did not honor their promise,” said Khim San, 53.
Within an hour of the fire starting, OCIC project manager Touch Samnang and Chroy Changva deputy district governor Huy Sarin arrived and the meeting began.
In the meeting, Mr. Samnang reiterated the company’s offer of $15 a square meter for the disputed land, which the families have repeatedly turned down. Mr. Sarin told the families that they should appreciate the new road being built through their village.
“Have you seen the road in Tuol Sangke commune?” he asked them. “It is small like a rat hole. Do you want to have the same as that?”
