Preah Vihear villagers win small concession

Villagers seize bulldozers earlier this week during a land dispute in Preah Vihear province involving a community forest. ADHOC

After villagers in Preah Vihears Brame commune briefly held two drivers hostage and confiscated bulldozers on Monday due to an ongoing land dispute, two Chinese concessionaire companies and provincial authorities agreed yesterday to temporarily cease the clearing of contested land in the area.

During a meeting with the Chinese firms and authorities yesterday, 200 community members demanded Rui Feng International and Lan Feng halt the three-year clearing project on their lands as it greatly reduces the standard of living of the 367 families, many of whom are ethnic Kuoy minorities.

The company cleared our forest, resin trees and farming lands, making us poor and leading us to lose out ethnic identification, said community representative Nuon Mon.

In response to the demand, Sou Serey, Preah Vihear's deputy governor who presided over the meeting, said that while the province has no right to withdraw ELCs, they will work on resolving the land dispute.

We have also have no right to close the company, but were trying to solve the ongoing dispute, Serey said. Its the right of the people to not accept it.

Villagers requested a six-month cessation, but Serey could not confirm how long the clearing will be halted.

Currently, officials are demarcating property to determine ownership of the lands.

We are waiting for the commune to map the community and our committee will demarcate the community, Serey said.

The decision was several days after Brame community members briefly kidnapped two company drivers and confiscated bulldozers on Monday to bolster their opposition. The drivers were subsequently released and the machinery returned to the companies the following day.

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Preah Vihear villagers win small concession