Following the eviction, the villagers moved to a nearby area close to the property of the Golden Crown Casino and constructed temporary shelters. Having had lost all personal belongings in the eviction, they had no clothing, cooking utensils, water, or food. The villagers were provided some materials by the provincial authorities and NGOs.
In early April 2005, the villagers returned to Kbal Spean after representatives from the Golden Crown Casino ordered them to leave the area where they had resettled, alleging that the villagers were polluting the canal water. The villagers returned to their original lots, setting up temporary makeshift housing.
On 6 June 2005, villagers contacted LICADHO to say that they’d heard a rumor of another eviction which would take place on 8 June. When contacted, the Banteay Meanchey prosecutor assured that no such eviction was scheduled.
It has also been reported that there was a recent influx of families into Kbal Spean, where numbers have now swelled to approximately 300. It appears that rumors of housing being provided for residents in Kbal Spean caused the influx of families.[i]
It was reported in The Cambodia Daily that on 24 July 2005, the O’Chrov District authorities offered the Kbal Spean villagers another plot of land 4 kms from Kbal Spean, but the villagers refused to accept the offer. A village representative was quoted as saying that the distance from the border would mean increased transportation costs.[ii]
Some villagers have expressed concerns about the advocacy assistance provided to them by some of the NGOs. They are unsure about what the training is for and do not always understand the rationale behind it. They reiterate that their main desire is to legally own the land which they occupy, and receive the necessary documentation that would guarantee their ownership. The villagers recognize their situation is still quite precarious and they therefore remain insecure about their future, and are easily frightened by rumours.
[i] Information provide by CHO.
[ii] 27 July 2005, “Evicted Families Refuse to Relocate to New Land”, p. 15.
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