Some 2,000 families in Padang Sanai near Kuala Nerang have set up an action group called Gagah to seek a solution over what they claimed to be an encroachment by a plantation firm on the land they have been occupying since the 1970s.

A Gagah founding member Che Kasa Awang, 59, said the affected residents planned to hold a peaceful demonstration at Wisma Darul Aman, Alor Setar, on Oct 30 and hand over a memorandum to Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak.

"We want the menteri besar to prove that the state government cares for the people," he told Bernama.

He added that the residents had lodged dozens of report to the police and the Padang Terap land office but had seen no action taken.

He added that the families inherited thousands of hectares from their parents and grandparents since the 70s.

"We have applied for the land several years back but our applications were rejected on grounds that applications for the land had been closed," he said.

- Bernama