Land Conflict between an Association and 722 Families in Bavel

On August 11, 2009 villager representatives from Tumnub Takuon village, Kdol Taken commune, Bavel district, Battambang province came to Phnom Penh in order to file complaints with the national government for intervention in a land conflict in the above site. The conflict took place between 722 families and the vice president of Association for Saving Disables, Widows, Poor People and Children over a land area of 722 hectares.

In the complaints sent to Mr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Office of Councils of Ministers and the National Committee for Land Conflict Resolution, they revealed that the association had not listened to the local authorities, police and military police, who went to conciliate the case. In addition, the association had not also abided by the decision made by the Ministry of Interior over the case at all.

As well, the association had intimidated villagers. On April 2007, for instance, Suon Chantha, the vice president and his men used guns to aim at local people and physically assaulted 4 people– 3 men and a woman.

Up to now villages still feel uncomfortable and the solution for them has not yet made. Their land has been still grabbed.