Land dispute

Three villagers from Odong district have been summoned to Kampong Speu provincial court for questioning amid allegations that they injured police officials during a protest last year. According to the summons, issued by provincial investigating judge Iv Borin on July 13 and obtained by The Post yesterday, Suon Bun Chhuon, 40, Suon Bun Chhin, 48, and Chha Ya Chetha, 48, of Phnom Touch commune’s Stock Slat village, are due to appear for questioning on August 9.

Suon Bun Chhuon, who received the summons on Sunday, yesterday denied the accusations against him. The summons relates to a land dispute between at least 88 families in the area and Meng Keth Company that has been ongoing since 2004, when a company representative filed a complaint claiming that a 65-hectare plot of land belonged to the firm. At least 12 villagers and 10 local police were injured when violence erupted in Odong district in March. Last month, at least seven villagers and three officials were injured in an armed clash in Stock Slat village when officials again attempted to implement the verdict. Iv Borin could not be reached for comment.