Friday, 4 December 2009

Licadho denies claims it inflamed land row



(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Friday, 04 December 2009 15:04 Rann Reuy

SIEM REAP PROVINCE

LOCAL rights group Licadho has sent a letter to the Siem Reap provincial government responding to Siem Reap Deputy Governor Bun Tharith’s statement that the group had incited villagers to construct shelters on disputed land in the province’s Chi Kraeng commune.

The letter, dated Tuesday, follows a Radio Free Asia interview with Bun Tharith during which the deputy governor aired the accusations.

“We’re just clarifying our role and denying that we incite, lead, or do any criminal acts with villagers,” Licadho director Naly Pilorge said.

A total of 11 Chi Kraeng villagers are currently detained on charges relating to the land dispute with neighbouring Anlong Samnor commune, which turned violent in March when police officers opened fire on 80 Chi Kraeng villagers harvesting crops on the land.

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