Widow Pleads for Authorities To Probe Plantation Shooting
By Lor Chandara
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Khat Rith wept Tuesday as she recalled how her husband, a rubber plantation worker, had been shot dead by a plantation guard who suspected him of stealing a small amount of resin late last year.
The 20-year-old widow of slain Chamkar Andaung Rubber Plantation worker Phlech Nol pleaded for authorities to thoroughly investigate her husband's killing.
"I would like to beg all organizations to help seek justice for my husband. [Plantation officials] killed him. He left me with two children," Khat Rith said at a Sam Rainsy Party-organized news conference in Phnom Penh.
Khat Rifh was among some 30 villagers attending the conference who criticized the managers at Chamkar Andaung Rubber Plantation in Kompong Cham, saying they use violence against employees.
Seng Sophea, 28, said her husband also died after being shot by a Chamkar Andaung guard who suspected him of stealing a small amount of rubber.
"People are scared of living there," she said. She added that she was paid just $75 by the plantation managers following the killing of her husband. Lim Chhun Leang, general director for the Chamkar Andaug Rubber Plantation, denied the villagers' allegations, saying that those speaking at the Phnom Penh conference were not employees and that they steal resin from his plantation.
He added that police patrolling for theft at the plantation have only used violence in self-defense.
Kompong Cham Governor Hun Neng said that the investigation is underway and will continue until the suspected killer of Phlech Nol, who has been on the run since the killing occurred on April 14, is found.
Hun Neng added that theft is a major problem for the plantation owners. "Poor villagers just moved into the plantation and stole the company's latex," he said.
He added that the sale of resin should be regulated to discourage villagers from selling stolen goods.
Chan Soveth, an investigator with local rights group Adhoc, said he doubted the seriousness of the investigation, saying Phlech Nol's killer would have been caught if Kompong Cham authorities had made an effort to find him.
The 20-year-old widow of slain Chamkar Andaung Rubber Plantation worker Phlech Nol pleaded for authorities to thoroughly investigate her husband's killing.
"I would like to beg all organizations to help seek justice for my husband. [Plantation officials] killed him. He left me with two children," Khat Rith said at a Sam Rainsy Party-organized news conference in Phnom Penh.
Khat Rifh was among some 30 villagers attending the conference who criticized the managers at Chamkar Andaung Rubber Plantation in Kompong Cham, saying they use violence against employees.
Seng Sophea, 28, said her husband also died after being shot by a Chamkar Andaung guard who suspected him of stealing a small amount of rubber.
"People are scared of living there," she said. She added that she was paid just $75 by the plantation managers following the killing of her husband. Lim Chhun Leang, general director for the Chamkar Andaug Rubber Plantation, denied the villagers' allegations, saying that those speaking at the Phnom Penh conference were not employees and that they steal resin from his plantation.
He added that police patrolling for theft at the plantation have only used violence in self-defense.
Kompong Cham Governor Hun Neng said that the investigation is underway and will continue until the suspected killer of Phlech Nol, who has been on the run since the killing occurred on April 14, is found.
Hun Neng added that theft is a major problem for the plantation owners. "Poor villagers just moved into the plantation and stole the company's latex," he said.
He added that the sale of resin should be regulated to discourage villagers from selling stolen goods.
Chan Soveth, an investigator with local rights group Adhoc, said he doubted the seriousness of the investigation, saying Phlech Nol's killer would have been caught if Kompong Cham authorities had made an effort to find him.
5 comments:
To catch the killer is the job for Mr. Hun Neng, but the killer is work for the plantation and used the legal weapon of the plantation to kill the people!
The plantation owner is responsible for the use of this so called legal weapon also the official who granted legal( Hun Neng? or royal government itself).
Do the guards get adequate training to be responsible to carry the weapond?
Do the shooting is the order from the owner to shoot petty thieves or protected lives?
It sound like the owner and the local government agree on their right to shoot and kill to defence their properties not lives!
The owner have to pay for the live of the people and financial compansate to the spouse and children! of the victime!
Don't try to confuse people Mr. Hun Neng!
A typical real life story from the Khmer Rouge era. The gaurds, owner, local goverment, one of which must have decented from the Khmer Rouge.
Here we go again another say about Khmer Rouge. If the government can't do it duty just go and kill the owner man and who care don't won't find out. Another stupid Cambodian who couldn't do nothing for the country.
This is so fucken sad that Cambodian people resort to measure their living of standard to how much resin they can collect! This is one fuck up country!
4:50pm You stupid! are you Hun Sen?
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