Four villagers have been arrested by military police in two districts of Kampot province and others were beaten, during operations to remove their homes from state land, rights officials and villagers said Tuesday.
The arrests follow the protest of a series of similar operations, especially in Chhouk district, where 83 families had their houses torn down earlier this month.
"The movement of the people is due to the authority that did not resolve their problems over many years, and at each election stage, the authorities promised to resolve their problems," Adhoc investigator Chan Saveth said. "But in the end, no."
"If the authorities will not settle the problem of the villagers, they might not go to vote," he added. "Because they are still concerned about their land."
