Representatives of a Chinese firm embroiled in a land dispute in Preah Vihear province have destroyed a hectare of rice fields to drive a farmer away, villagers alleged yesterday.

According to 45-year-old villager Tem Song, on June 28 six Cambodian and Chinese employees of Roy Feng company sprayed a chemical substance on his rice, which he says destroyed the crop.

“My family has been waiting for the company to clear [another area] for us to plant rice, but because they have not done it, we returned to farm on the old land, but the company destroyed it with a chemical substance,” Song said.

“I am preparing lawsuits . . . and will file them this Wednesday to [rights group] Adhoc, the authorities and the court.”

Adhoc provincial coordinator Lor Chhan denounced the alleged action.

“The destruction of the villager’s rice like that is a serious violation of human rights and economic rights,” he said.

The company could not be reached for comment.