By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Out of desperation, on Monday 17 March, 49 families from the Sre Ambil district, Koh Kong province, gathered in front of the Ministry of Land Management, Urbanization and Construction in Phnom Penh, in order to obtain a resolution for their land disputes. During the demonstration, several villagers held banners denouncing what they call a “false plan” set up by their adversaries to take over their lands.
The dispute stems from some “350-hectare grabbed by the leader of a brewery in 2004,” Chin Theavy, one of the affected villagers, said. The 49 families claim that they occupy these lands since 1994, the date when they started to cut down the forest trees to plant crop and fruit trees. In 10 years, the increasing land price led to this dispute.
The farmers claim that they are currently facing a deadlock. “If there is no solution, we will continue to make our demands again and again, because our future depends on our plantations,” Chin Theavy said.
In the past, the villagers came to demonstrate in Phnom Penh 4 times already, including protesting in front of the National Assembly, but without success. Last month, Chea Sim, CPP and Senate president, even asked Im Chun Lim, the minister of Land Management, to review this case with great care.
The various initiatives were not undertaken in vain. SRP MP Ho Vann, who helps the villagers follow up in this case, indicated that Chhan Saphan, the state secretary of Land Manegement, promised him to send to the spot an observation committee next week.
The dispute stems from some “350-hectare grabbed by the leader of a brewery in 2004,” Chin Theavy, one of the affected villagers, said. The 49 families claim that they occupy these lands since 1994, the date when they started to cut down the forest trees to plant crop and fruit trees. In 10 years, the increasing land price led to this dispute.
The farmers claim that they are currently facing a deadlock. “If there is no solution, we will continue to make our demands again and again, because our future depends on our plantations,” Chin Theavy said.
In the past, the villagers came to demonstrate in Phnom Penh 4 times already, including protesting in front of the National Assembly, but without success. Last month, Chea Sim, CPP and Senate president, even asked Im Chun Lim, the minister of Land Management, to review this case with great care.
The various initiatives were not undertaken in vain. SRP MP Ho Vann, who helps the villagers follow up in this case, indicated that Chhan Saphan, the state secretary of Land Manegement, promised him to send to the spot an observation committee next week.
2 comments:
Kill Kit Meng! Koh Kong people's problems will be solved. This Hanoi parasite already sold that region to foreigners.
Oh shut the fuck up, just show us your paper works.
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