Villagers in a drawn-out land fight summonsed

Five Tumpuon villagers have again been summonsed for questioning by the Ratanakkiri Provincial Court in a lengthy dispute after private firm Ly Sokim Co Ltd accused villagers of destroying its property.

In the latest summons, dated July 30, villagers are warned that failing to show up will result in an arrest warrant. One man has been summonsed to appear on Friday while four others are requested to appear next week. …

The dispute stems from the company’s purchase of 22 hectares of land from eight villagers, who owned and cleared the area, prosecutor Ros Saram said in early June.

But more than 30 other families also claim legal rights over the contested area. …

This was just the latest example of provincial courts utilising legal summons as a form of intimidation, said Chhay Thy, provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/villagers-drawn-out-land-fight-summonsed