A Chinese-owned company embroiled in a land dispute with villagers in Koh Kong province agreed yesterday to reopen a road that it had blocked on Wednesday, sparking violent clashes.

Following negotiations with villagers, Union Development Group (UDG) agreed to allow access to the road in Koh Sdech commune, which it claims was blocked on Wednesday for road widening, but which villagers say was an attempt to force them off of their land, according to community representative Prak Thorn.

“The company used machinery to pull off the soil [dumped there on Wednesday] and reopen the road, but our community still continues guarding the village, because there is no written negotiation so we are afraid they will change their tune,” Thorn said.

Three villagers sustained minor injuries on Wednesday during the clashes with UDG security guards over the blockade, he said.