Authorities say they are close to resolving a land dispute between a rubber company and villagers in Anlong Veng commune after Oddar Meanchey Provincial Governor Sar Thavy on Monday ordered stakeholders to accelerate talks.

Vong Pheak, Anlong Veng commune chief, said that after spending three hours meeting with stakeholders, Tomring Rubber Co Ltd has agreed to carve out land for families with verifiable claims to the property.

“I’m really happy, and hope that the land dispute lasting for 10 years already will be solved peacefully,” Pheak said.

Horchin Virakyuth, Anlong Veng district governor, said officials are verifying how many families are making land claims.

Duong Sina, a one-star general and the country director of the rubber company, raised suspicions that some families may be making illegitimate claims to the land.

“If the people have documents proving that they permanently live and have land there and are recognised by the government authorities, the company will cut the land for them immediately without any objection at all,” Sina said.

Adhoc coordinator Srey Naren said he is monitoring the situation.