Land Fight

Two families facing eviction in Preah Sihanouk province’s Prey Nob district have accepted compensation from a Chinese company that acquired their land as part of an economic concession, officials and residents said. The dispute between families in Smach Den village and the Yie Chea Company turned violent at the end of a three-day standoff between villagers and company staffers earlier this week. The rights group Licadho on Wednesday said the government had brought in Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Brigade 31 to end the standoff, causing violence that led to the hospitalisation of four villagers. Ing Kim Ang said Thursday that her family had accepted a US$4,000 compensation offer. “It seems to me that our hand was forced because our land is worth more than US$10,000, but we’re afraid for our security,” she said. Village chief Kuy Sambath said the two families were the only ones in his village facing eviction, but Licadho said 116 could eventually be forced out.