A PROTEST on the fifth storey of a residential high-rise in Borei Keila ended with authorities fleeing the scene and incensed villagers breaking down a door yesterday.

About 50 villagers converged on the site to protest against Phan Imex and authorities evicting a man from his home on the fifth floor.

House owner On Nita, 22, said police and the company had ordered him out of his house, which he bought from Phor Lina, a village representative, for $8,900 early last year.

Despite the building owner and the village and commune chiefs having recognised him as the owner of the house, On Nita said he had been told to leave.

Police locked the house once he had left to prevent him from returning, he said.

“After locking my house, [the local authority] urged me to file a complaint against Mr Phork Lina; however, he did not do anything wrong with the contract of buying and selling [the house],” he said.News spread fast of his eviction and villagers flocked to the residential building, which Phan Imex built in 2007 in exchange for residents vacating land nearby.

The rush of protesters caused building committee officials to flee, On Nita said, and villagers smashed the lock and opened the door.

“I think what [the authority and the company] did is like a robber,” said villager Hang Moeurt, who joined the protest.

On December 14, the authority at 7 Makara district, the housing development company at Borei Keila, seized a house recognition card from On Nita’s brother and sister and urged them to file a lawsuit against Phor Lina for cheating and forgery, On Nita said.

Lawyer Suong Sophal has since filed a lawsuit against Phor Lina; however, it is not known whom he is representing.

Phor Lina has been summonsed to appear in Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning today.