Representatives of 51 families involved in a land dispute in Banteay Meanchey province filed a petition for intervention from Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday, but the request was denied.

Muth Lounh, one of nine people who filed the petition, told The Post the 51 families living in Nimith commune, Poipet city, had been involved in an ongoing legal fight with two Phnom Penh residents over 113ha since 2011.

The men, Tuy Vanny and Ly Van Hong, claim to have bought the land through the commune chief.

“I am disappointed that the authorities did not accept the complaint and even accused us of not having proper documents.

“They did not even bother to check our documents. They said there was no point and the court did not perform its work. We have filed complaints with the court for 15 years already,” said Lounh.

He said the 51 are families of former Khmer Rouge soldiers. After surrendering to the government they became ordinary citizens to farm for a living on the 113ha.

The complaint states: “We beg Prime Minister Hun Sen to help us get ownership of the land to build homes. The land is our life. Only the Prime Minister can help us.”