By Mayarith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media
Two Sam Rainsy Party MPs are determinded to fight along with about 80 people who are currently having a land dispute in Choeung Prey district, Kompong Cham province.
MP Thak Lany said on Thursday 20 July that she and MP Mao Munyvann are opposed to the clearing of 70 hectares of land and the expulsion of 64 families in the communes of Kauk Roveang and Thnal Dek, Choeung Prey district, Kompong Cham province.
Mrs. Thak Lany claimed that the disputed land belong to the people who occupied it as their property since 1985. In 1987, Keo Socheat, a dealer lured some of the villagers to sell the land to him.
Mrs. Thak Lany said that Keo Socheat threatened the villagers to sell the land to him claiming that the land belongs to the state and, if the villagers would not sell the land to him, the state will take it away from the villagers anyway.
Those who listened to the dealers obtained $200 in exchange for their plot, and a large number of families accepted the sale.
Mrs. Thak Lany accused this act as a threat and a treachery.
The MP said that a big incident occurred on 19 July when the dealer brought in mechanical equipment to clear the villagers’ crops on the disputed land: “Today, I and these 70 to 80 people, we went to protect the area they (the dealer’s people) are planning to clear. I went with MP Mao Munyvann, the two of us went to protect the area and ask them not to clear the crops. We called Mr. Keo Socheat over the phone to negotiate the land clearing issue, but we cannot reach him. I said that if you (Keo Soheat) do not stop the clearing, I will settle with the 70 or 80 villagers on the spot, I will stay overnight if I have to.”
On Thursday, no reaction was obtained from the parties involved in the land dispute.
MP Thak Lany said on Thursday 20 July that she and MP Mao Munyvann are opposed to the clearing of 70 hectares of land and the expulsion of 64 families in the communes of Kauk Roveang and Thnal Dek, Choeung Prey district, Kompong Cham province.
Mrs. Thak Lany claimed that the disputed land belong to the people who occupied it as their property since 1985. In 1987, Keo Socheat, a dealer lured some of the villagers to sell the land to him.
Mrs. Thak Lany said that Keo Socheat threatened the villagers to sell the land to him claiming that the land belongs to the state and, if the villagers would not sell the land to him, the state will take it away from the villagers anyway.
Those who listened to the dealers obtained $200 in exchange for their plot, and a large number of families accepted the sale.
Mrs. Thak Lany accused this act as a threat and a treachery.
The MP said that a big incident occurred on 19 July when the dealer brought in mechanical equipment to clear the villagers’ crops on the disputed land: “Today, I and these 70 to 80 people, we went to protect the area they (the dealer’s people) are planning to clear. I went with MP Mao Munyvann, the two of us went to protect the area and ask them not to clear the crops. We called Mr. Keo Socheat over the phone to negotiate the land clearing issue, but we cannot reach him. I said that if you (Keo Soheat) do not stop the clearing, I will settle with the 70 or 80 villagers on the spot, I will stay overnight if I have to.”
On Thursday, no reaction was obtained from the parties involved in the land dispute.
2 comments:
Good on them to lead as a role model of leadership. They must assist all these helpless farmer from animal greedies businessmen and women in Cambodia. God bless you all.
Thank you! Thank you for taking a stand!
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