A VILLAGER at the centre of a land dispute in Prey Veng province said Tuesday that a police officer pointed a gun at his head and threatened to pull the trigger.

The conflict was sparked when villagers spotted a police officer working on the disputed land, said Tit Saran.

Villagers moved to block the police officer, he said. “The policeman pointed a gun at my head and said to me that I will shoot you if you are trying to complain to get the land,” Tit Saran said.

Officer says self-defense

The officer, however, denied the allegation when contacted by the Post on Tuesday. It was the villagers, said policeman Yim Oeung, who threatened him.

“I saw those people holding a knife and an ax,” he said. “I was frightened.”

Yim Oeung admitted he warned the villagers he would fire his gun, but only in “self-defence” if violence were to erupt.

Koh Roka commune police Chief An Lo said he would report the incident to the district office.