Lao Villagers Lose Farmland to Chinese Banana Grower
Villagers in Laos say a Chinese-owned banana plantation in has unfairly acquired the land of 46 families in the northern part of the country, many of whom were coerced by authorities into selling for a miniscule compensation package
The 46 families sold 60 hectares (148 acres) of their land in Houy Or Village, located in Bokeo province’s Meung district. They were offered what some say is a paltry 11 million kip ($1,200) per family.
When the plans for the banana plantation were revealed, several of the families refused to sell. They were taken to the local police station to be “reeducated,” according to one of the affected villagers.
“The district authorities summoned three people to the police station and held them for about a week until they gave up their land,” the villager told RFA’s Lao Service Wednesday.
RFA’s Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
