By May Titthara
The Phnom Penh Post
FEARING continued violence in a land dispute, families living on isolated farms in Battambang province’s Samlot district began sleeping at the village homes of friends and relatives on Sunday, though some said they had been forced to do so by local authorities, whom they have accused of colluding with soldiers and a Korean company in an effort to take over their land.
Sin Mey, a village representative, said villagers began fearing for their security after he and another community leader, 60-year-old Pich Sophon, were shot in separate incidents last month.
Pich Sophon, who was killed by four unknown gunmen on April 26, had been instrumental in advocating on behalf of 141 families involved in three land disputes covering 705 hectares, which date back to 2007 and pit villagers against military officials from Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Region 5 and an unidentified Korean company.
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