THE relatives of two men who were arrested last week in connection with a land dispute in Sen Sok district staged a small protest in front of Prime Minister Hun Sen's home in Takhmao town, Kandal province, Sunday morning.

"I would like to ask the prime minister to help us release my husband from prison," said Nhem Sokhim, 50, whose husband, Lak Oun, is being held in Prey Sar prison along with Nhem Sokhim. "I believe he will help us because we are the victims of a tycoon."

The families are involved in a dispute with CVKHA, a local developer that has argued that the families are growing crops on land it purchased in 1993. The families say they have been farming on the 3-hectare plot of land since 1983.

Municipal Police Chief Touch Naruth said Sunday that his officers were complying with a court order when they carried out the arrest. Municipal Court officials could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Am Sam Ath, of the rights group Licadho, said at least 60 people had been jailed in connection with land disputes in Cambodia this year.