PHNOM PENH, March 17 (Reuters) - Indigenous Cambodians on Wednesday urged the government to suspend hundreds of concessions awarded to foreign and local companies they say are operating on disputed land.
Representatives of Cambodia's 17 ethnic groups said the government had not consulted local communities or given fair compensation before approving large concessions to companies to grow rubber, run mines and build hydroelectric dams.
"I ask the government to suspend the concessions in all 15 provinces and cities," said villager Ven Samin, who is embroiled in a dispute over land leased by Chinese firms in Kompong Speu province, 48 km (30 miles) outside Phnom Penh.
"The Chinese concession was agreed without consultation or approval with and from local communities. It has seriously affected indigenous people," she added.
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