16-10-2007
By Ung Chansophea
Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
On Monday 15 October, a group of demonstrators came to protest, in the streets of Phnom Penh, against their eviction from a plot of lands which they cultivate since the 90s.
A group of villagers, who claim to represent 500 families from the Tross commune, Svay Rieng province, came to demonstrate in Phnom Penh. The villagers are camping in front of the Wat Botum pagoda since Monday 15 October. The aim of their trip is to demand back their 1,500-hectare of lands which the Peam Chaing company – a company specializing in rubber plantation – had started to clear the lands for the past 6 months. The Peam Chaing company has also proceeded to plant rubber trees.
“This company came to destroy our plantations and our rice fields, they are supported by cops and military cops, and they argued that the government gave them the concession to these lands. But, this company never shows us the paperwork proving that they are authorized to develop a rubber plantation. We own there cashew trees, acacia trees, and cassava plantations. We live there since the 90s. We cannot live without these lands. In spite of our complaints to the commune, the district does not intervene. This is why we came to Phnom Penh, to ask for help from the prime minister, and to find if the government, indeed, gave our lands to this company. But, I believe that this is (only) an agreement between the local authorities and the company,” one anonymous representatives of the villagers said. The commune chief declined to comment in this case. He only replied briefly “that it must certainly be a project negotiated and granted by the State.”
A group of villagers, who claim to represent 500 families from the Tross commune, Svay Rieng province, came to demonstrate in Phnom Penh. The villagers are camping in front of the Wat Botum pagoda since Monday 15 October. The aim of their trip is to demand back their 1,500-hectare of lands which the Peam Chaing company – a company specializing in rubber plantation – had started to clear the lands for the past 6 months. The Peam Chaing company has also proceeded to plant rubber trees.
“This company came to destroy our plantations and our rice fields, they are supported by cops and military cops, and they argued that the government gave them the concession to these lands. But, this company never shows us the paperwork proving that they are authorized to develop a rubber plantation. We own there cashew trees, acacia trees, and cassava plantations. We live there since the 90s. We cannot live without these lands. In spite of our complaints to the commune, the district does not intervene. This is why we came to Phnom Penh, to ask for help from the prime minister, and to find if the government, indeed, gave our lands to this company. But, I believe that this is (only) an agreement between the local authorities and the company,” one anonymous representatives of the villagers said. The commune chief declined to comment in this case. He only replied briefly “that it must certainly be a project negotiated and granted by the State.”
7 comments:
Eng Chhay Ieng, you're the deputy of land's dispute. Go to help these poor's cambodians. Sok Anh will appreciate that you take this responsibility!
No, there is no land dispute in Cambodia, everyone are living peacefully. Samdach Preah Maha's working so hard to developing jobs and reduce the poors one person per year, so it may take time to stable our country. there is No Land dispute what so ever in Cambodia.
This is the kind of shit will continue to happen again and again as long as anti-corruption don't become law!
Now go do the right thing!
What land dispute? The villagers were just looking for proof of ownership of the land. That is all.
What 500 villagers need is 500 guns, then someone will take notice
of their problem.
Cambodia's continue to deteriorate societies, and when people give-up its maybe the bloodshed all over the country. Cambodian people's calling the uprising against this regime. come on toghter!!!!
Oh yeah ... Go ahead ... Make my day!
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