VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
28/03/2007
A group of displaced residents has increased pressure on City Hall to at least meet with them to address their ouster from a lake district in the capital.
The Beung Kak Lake residents have said they will protest outside City Hall until officials grant them an audience to explain why they were evicted from their homes in favor of development and to find a way they might move back.
But city officials say they are too busy until after commune elections.
"City Hall is busy in the commune elections and postponed the meeting until April 3," Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chutema said.
He accused Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay of inciting the people for political gain, a charge Son Chhay denied.
"We want the City Hall to meet directly with the people and discuss things," he said. "Is there any means to solving the Beung Kak development issue? City Hall and the people should work closely together and agree before any agreement can proceed."
More and more development in Cambodia has meant the displacement of many families, often times far from jobs, school or even potable water.
The Beung Kak Lake residents have said they will protest outside City Hall until officials grant them an audience to explain why they were evicted from their homes in favor of development and to find a way they might move back.
But city officials say they are too busy until after commune elections.
"City Hall is busy in the commune elections and postponed the meeting until April 3," Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chutema said.
He accused Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay of inciting the people for political gain, a charge Son Chhay denied.
"We want the City Hall to meet directly with the people and discuss things," he said. "Is there any means to solving the Beung Kak development issue? City Hall and the people should work closely together and agree before any agreement can proceed."
More and more development in Cambodia has meant the displacement of many families, often times far from jobs, school or even potable water.
1 comment:
Municipality is not an election commission, why Kepchutema is busy before election? what is he doing? threatening voters? cheating? campainging? just meet people in the working hours, that's all. Problem cannot be resolved by avoiding from dialogue.
AZ
Post a Comment