Angry villagers at Sambok Chap village (village 14), Bassac commune stormed the village's surrounding fence made of corrugated metal belongs to the Sour Srun company and set fire to the village 14 office on May 31, 2006. These villagers are fed up with the hardship they have endured in the last few weeks. They have been living in squalid conditions and environment after the dismantling of their houses by the company last month. Meanwhile, the municipality and the company just made empty promises to them on land allotment at the new site. In total, 250 people have fallen sick from various diseases so far and the authority has been under heavy criticism for not allowing these affected people to get the help from NGOs. Three people were injured in this incident. (Photo: Rasmei Kampuchea Daily)Friday, June 2, 2006
Villagers Continue To Stake Out Tonle Bassac
By Prak Chan Thul
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Hundreds of villagers who rioted at Tonle Bassac commune's Village 14 on Wednesday continued to stake out land at the contested site on Thursday, with several warning that they would resist police if another attempt were made to evict them.
Club-wielding villagers pursued a private security guard on Wednesday, torched the deputy village chief’s house, tore down the village office and battered a half-kilometer-long metal fence built by the Sour Srun company.
Villagers were building huts and using string Thursday to demarcate plots on the land, which is now owned by the Sour Srun company. Some of the villagers posted photos of Prime Minister Him Sen and his wife Bun Rany at their settlements.
"The villagers might fight back if the police come," said Long Sothea, 38, who has laid claim to a 5-meter-by-10meter plot. "We are not afraid any more. The villagers are angry because there has never been a solution and the security guards tried to remove the huts," he said.
Wednesday's riot erupted after a rumor circulated that an 11-year-old girl, En Limsreng, had been killed by a falling beam during the dismantling.
En Limsreng said Thursday at Kantha Bopha Hospital that she was doing fine, and that her leg and back had been injured by a piece of wood that fell from the roof of her family's hut while it was being taken apart by an unidentified security guard.
Villager Heng Samnang, 49, said he was not afraid to resist the police, and that he considered the riot a success.
"We are members of the Cambodian People's Party but it didn't help much," he said, adding that all those who participated in the riot were equally responsible.
"There were no inciters. All the villagers volunteered," he said.
Municipal Police Chief Touch Naruth said that more than 10 people would be prosecuted for inciting the riot, but that he had not made arrests because he had not received an order from the municipality.
Deputy Municipal Governor Mann Chhoeun said he was not certain what action would be taken.
"There are many ways to solve the problem. One is that they can be re-educated," he said.
Club-wielding villagers pursued a private security guard on Wednesday, torched the deputy village chief’s house, tore down the village office and battered a half-kilometer-long metal fence built by the Sour Srun company.
Villagers were building huts and using string Thursday to demarcate plots on the land, which is now owned by the Sour Srun company. Some of the villagers posted photos of Prime Minister Him Sen and his wife Bun Rany at their settlements.
"The villagers might fight back if the police come," said Long Sothea, 38, who has laid claim to a 5-meter-by-10meter plot. "We are not afraid any more. The villagers are angry because there has never been a solution and the security guards tried to remove the huts," he said.
Wednesday's riot erupted after a rumor circulated that an 11-year-old girl, En Limsreng, had been killed by a falling beam during the dismantling.
En Limsreng said Thursday at Kantha Bopha Hospital that she was doing fine, and that her leg and back had been injured by a piece of wood that fell from the roof of her family's hut while it was being taken apart by an unidentified security guard.
Villager Heng Samnang, 49, said he was not afraid to resist the police, and that he considered the riot a success.
"We are members of the Cambodian People's Party but it didn't help much," he said, adding that all those who participated in the riot were equally responsible.
"There were no inciters. All the villagers volunteered," he said.
Municipal Police Chief Touch Naruth said that more than 10 people would be prosecuted for inciting the riot, but that he had not made arrests because he had not received an order from the municipality.
Deputy Municipal Governor Mann Chhoeun said he was not certain what action would be taken.
"There are many ways to solve the problem. One is that they can be re-educated," he said.
4 comments:
Good for you people, that's the spirit. Rebel against the corrupted government, they are the robber and oppressor.
It's not easy to understand, many type of people now. We must search for true story before make a conclusion.
It easy to understand first take care of people who have no housing and food than deal with the rich!
Hungry is emergency!
Hello! Hello!!! Mr. Touch Narith why Municipal? You should wait for Sou Srun Company and or the security gard (the victime) to make a coplain before you take action right?
The same case of the beer girld and the union leader who got beat up!
You Mokey Viet Cambodia Royal Police!
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