Kratie (FN), March 8 - Kong Kimny, Snoul District governor rejected the Phnom Penh Post’s news stating that at least six villagers were shot dead and more than 40 others were injured at a rubber plantation in Kratie province’s Snuol district this afternoon in a clash between citizens and local authorities on Thursday.

"I would like to completely deny information posted by the Phnom Penh Post. I would like to inform the public that not even one dies and that 40 people injured is a false statement,” Kong Kimny told Fresh News.

According to the Phnom Penh Post's article dated on Thursday, the authorities were at the plantation to dismantle blockades that had recently been set up by villagers on the disputed land in the Memot Rubber Plantation, said Be Vanny, observing staff of Adhoc rights group.

Snuol district governor Kong Kimny clarified in an interview with Fresh News that seven police officers and two villagers were injured and seven others were temporarily detained for interrogation.

The violent clash came after the villagers have blocked three sites of National Road 76, causing an hour of traffic jam.

The dispute dates back to 2008, when the Memot Rubber Plantation Company was granted a nearly 9,900-hectare economic land concession in the area, sparking a dispute with residents who had moved into the area at roughly the same time.
=FRESH NEWS