Violence Occurred in a Land Conflict in Banteay Meanchey

On April 2, 2010 a couple was physically assaulted by a group of 8 people, who asserted to own this plot of land, and other 40 laborers. The event took place in Tuol Pong Ror, Malai district, Banteay Meanchey province when these husband and wife came to stop the other party from destroying their temporary shelters in the above location.

Ms. Nou Leng, 44, was wounded on her arm by a blow of a machete, which the massive group aimed at her; whereas her husband Mr. Im Kimsan, 56, was chopped in the back of his head, and was in serious condition in hospital, where he was helped and sent for treatment by other villagers.

In relation to the above case, local authorities were alleged to illegally grab villagers’ plots of land to keep as their own will. Mr. Soum Chankea, provincial coordinator for local rights group Adhoc said it was such a complicated case. Villagers were supposed to have ownership of that land, but several local authorities including the ex-wife of village chief seized a lot of land for their own interest. This act is seen to have violated human rights, basic rights and the 2001 Land Law of the Kingdom of Cambodia.