Twenty families in Svay Rieng province yesterday protested to demand a private company stop blocking access to their homes.

The residents of Svay Rieng town’s Svay Ter commune said a company named Chilo Special Economic Zone had built a gate blocking access to the road that leads to their properties.   

Sim Vanna , 43, said villagers wanted local authorities to intervene and force the company to allow residents access to the road as usual.

“The company built a new gate,” she said. “Residents who live nearby can no longer get in and out. We want the authorities to intervene so people can get into the homes as usual.” “The villagers have used this route for a long time. They do not want to use another entrance,” she added.

Deputy provincial governor Pech Saran said the authorities had met with the company and asked it to allow villagers regular access to their homes.

Chilo Speical Economic Zone could not be reached for comment.

• Tags: access, Svay Rieng