More than 200 angry ethnic Kuoy villagers who claim their land has been stolen by a Chinese-owned sugar company were blocked from protesting as Prime Minister Hun Sen inaugurated the firm’s mill in Preah Vihear province…The mill will process sugarcane grown on 40,000 hectares of land granted as economic land concessions to Rui Feng and four sister companies.

However, groups of villagers claim the land is theirs and have been involved in a protracted dispute with Rui Feng since 2012. In the latest action, the villagers…prepared 400 thumbprints on a petition to cancel the concession…

Addressing attendees yesterday, Hun Sen hailed the project as a major job creator, but cautioned that Rui Feng would need to provide suitable compensation and facilities to attract workers…The premier warned the company that if it “want[s] workers to work here, you need to build houses for them, provide a proper salary and . . . build a school and hospital.” He also discouraged Rui Feng from expanding onto new land, and admonished them to “have good relations with farmers”. “The land is still their land…” he added.

Company reps could not be reached for comment on past disputes or relations with locals.