More than 30 residents and activists have announced plans to file a complaint against two tycoons operating in Kratie province’s Prek Prasap district for allegedly clearing 3,120 hectares of forest they are claiming is owned by the state, according to the rights group Adhoc.

The complaint, obtained yesterday, is being filed against two businessmen identified as Eng and Lim Bunna, from Kampong Cham’s Stung Trang district and Tbong Khmum’s Dambe district, respectively.

It states that the businessmen had colluded with the “rich and powerful” to commit “criminal forestry offences” since 2009.

Pen Bonnar, an officer with Adhoc who has endorsed the complaint, said clearing state forest was a crime, and that every citizen has the right to protect and preserve forestland.

“We are ready for a big campaign,” he said, adding that similar complaints have been filed in Kampot and Tbong Khmum provinces.

Eng and Lim Bunna could not be reached for comment. Deputy provincial governor Khan Chanan said he “didn’t know” about the Prek Prasap case but promised to investigate.