SUNDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2010
By MAY TITTHARA AND CHHAY CHANNYDA
THE PHNOMPENHPOST
By MAY TITTHARA AND CHHAY CHANNYDA
THE PHNOMPENHPOST
Photo supplied Villagers from Kandal province perform a Buddhist ceremony on Friday, “cursing” a company they say has stolen their land..
VILLAGERS in Kandal province say they fear arrest after they staged a ceremony to curse the development company with which they are locked in a land dispute.
On the first day of the Pchum Ben holiday, about 400 villagers joined a ceremony at Tuol Tamark pagoda in Kandal Stung district to curse the Heng Development Company, which has threatened to level the pagoda and push 292 families off their land by October 28.
Community representatives said unidentified officials in black uniforms were patrolling the area.
“I am worried about my safety because police and military police have mistreated villagers here before,” said community representative Ly Siha, 30. “I am afraid they will arrest me.”
Various altercations related to the dispute have led to the wounding of three villagers, the arrest of one man and the issuing of arrest warrants for two others, according to local rights group Adhoc.
Earlier this month, military police arrested 45-year-old Vorn Vun on suspicion of destroying private property in connection with the dispute.
Kandal Stung district military police chief Chin Vanny said the villagers were mistaken about the security presence.…read the full story in tomorrow’s Phnom Penh Post or see the updated story online from 3PM UTC/GMT +7 hours.
On the first day of the Pchum Ben holiday, about 400 villagers joined a ceremony at Tuol Tamark pagoda in Kandal Stung district to curse the Heng Development Company, which has threatened to level the pagoda and push 292 families off their land by October 28.
Community representatives said unidentified officials in black uniforms were patrolling the area.
“I am worried about my safety because police and military police have mistreated villagers here before,” said community representative Ly Siha, 30. “I am afraid they will arrest me.”
Various altercations related to the dispute have led to the wounding of three villagers, the arrest of one man and the issuing of arrest warrants for two others, according to local rights group Adhoc.
Earlier this month, military police arrested 45-year-old Vorn Vun on suspicion of destroying private property in connection with the dispute.
Kandal Stung district military police chief Chin Vanny said the villagers were mistaken about the security presence.…read the full story in tomorrow’s Phnom Penh Post or see the updated story online from 3PM UTC/GMT +7 hours.
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