About 1,000 residents of Kebonharjo Kampung in Tanjung Emas district, Semarang, Central Java, clashed with police officers deployed to evict them on Thursday to make room for a railway track.

The eviction, which was ordered by provincial railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia Region IV Semarang, was conducted by officers equipped with tear gas canisters. Three excavators were also used.

A resident, Jumian, reportedly died from exhaustion after a day of protesting the eviction.

“She died after giving a speech this morning. A clash occurred at 9 a.m. We don’t want to move because we have land deeds. The National Land Agency recognizes our ownership,” said Jati, a resident.

The eviction is related to the revitalization of a railway track connecting Tawang Station in Semarang to Tanjung Emas Port, which started in 2014.

The Kebonharjo neighborhood unit head, Suparjo, said the Central Java administration had explained the matter to the residents prior to the eviction.

“We agreed because the route was to be Semarang Tawang–Semarang Gudang–Tanjung Emas Port, meaning it did not cross our kampung. Then the there was an explanation [from the central government] on Feb. 20, 2015 and the route was still the same. So again we agreed. But then it was recommended that the track be made shorter and pass through our homes. We reject that and will stand up for our rights,” he said.

Of the 118 houses in Kebonharjo, 59 have land deeds. There is also a school and a mosque in the area. PT Kereta Api Indonesia Region IV Semarang twice informed those affected by the eviction before taking action on Thursday.

The railway operator’s asset management senior manager, Erman Sulaeman, said that during the two meetings with residents, the company had informed them that 130 buildings would be demolished.

“[The buildings are] 101 uncertified houses, 17 certified houses and 12 public facilities. The compensation for permanent structures is Rp 250,000 per square meter, while it is Rp 200,000 for non-permanent ones,” he said.

Suparjo said owners of houses without deeds would be paid Rp 175,000 per sqm in compensation. He acknowledged that the number of houses with and without deeds was under dispute between the company and residents.

House owners have pinned copies of their deeds on their front doors to resist eviction.

The head of PT Kereta Api Indonesia Region IV Semarang, Andika Tri Putranto, said reactivation of the railway track from Semarang Tawang to Tanjung Emas was a national policy involving the Transportation Ministry, the Central Java administration, port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia and PT KAI.

“The track existed during the era of Dutch occupation. We didn’t activate it earlier due to financial constraints. Now we are ready and it has become an urgent matter. Every year, Tanjung Emas Port manages 600,000 containers. It is time for rail transportation to support the movement of containers,” he said.

It was decided to pass through Kebonharjo as it would make the route from Semarang Tawang to the port shorter.

“If we were to use the old track, which is via Semarang Gudang, two tracks would cross Jl. Ronggowarsito. We are considering safety in the area,” said Andika.

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