A Boeung Kak resident dismantles his house Thursday as the water level on the lake started to rise. (Photo: NICOLAS AXLEROD)Friday, 29 August 2008
Written by Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post
Boeung Kak residents begin dismantling homes as water rises
DISGRUNTLED Boeung Kak residents will march on City Hall next week to demand that the municipality halt a reclamation project that is driving them from their homes, one resident said Thursday as others began tearing down their homes and leaving the future construction site.
A developer on Tuesday began pumping sand and water into the lake, which will be filled in over the next year to make way for a 133-hectare residential and commercial complex.
Thousands of families will be affected by the development, which has been condemned as illegal by rights groups.
Noun Thol, who faces eviction, was collecting thumbprints from other affected residents and by Thursday afternoon had 40 other families on his petition.
"We are planning to take this case to court. We will also march from Boeung Kak to City Hall demanding that the government halt the pumping of sand into the lake. If we don't get a solution, we will seek help from Prime Minister Hun Sen," Noun Thoul said, explaining that he thought that more people would join his effort as anger over the development rose.
"The residents must demand compensation," Noun Thol said, adding that the water levels have risen since the pumping began as tonnes of sand settle onto the lake bottom.
Am Sam Ath, monitoring supervisor for Licadho, said that he has not heard of any Boeung Kak families being compensated for their lost homes. "Compensation should have been made before filling in of the lake began," he said. "The pumping of sand is an act of intimidation to get the residents to leave Boeung Kak while they have not yet agreed to the nature and amount of compensation."
But Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun said that many lake residents have already received compensation. "Municipal officials today are giving Boeung Kak residents houses and cash," he said.
He declined comment on how many residents had received compensation but said around 500 families have agreed to "deal" with the municipality.
DISGRUNTLED Boeung Kak residents will march on City Hall next week to demand that the municipality halt a reclamation project that is driving them from their homes, one resident said Thursday as others began tearing down their homes and leaving the future construction site.
A developer on Tuesday began pumping sand and water into the lake, which will be filled in over the next year to make way for a 133-hectare residential and commercial complex.
Thousands of families will be affected by the development, which has been condemned as illegal by rights groups.
Noun Thol, who faces eviction, was collecting thumbprints from other affected residents and by Thursday afternoon had 40 other families on his petition.
"We are planning to take this case to court. We will also march from Boeung Kak to City Hall demanding that the government halt the pumping of sand into the lake. If we don't get a solution, we will seek help from Prime Minister Hun Sen," Noun Thoul said, explaining that he thought that more people would join his effort as anger over the development rose.
"The residents must demand compensation," Noun Thol said, adding that the water levels have risen since the pumping began as tonnes of sand settle onto the lake bottom.
Am Sam Ath, monitoring supervisor for Licadho, said that he has not heard of any Boeung Kak families being compensated for their lost homes. "Compensation should have been made before filling in of the lake began," he said. "The pumping of sand is an act of intimidation to get the residents to leave Boeung Kak while they have not yet agreed to the nature and amount of compensation."
But Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun said that many lake residents have already received compensation. "Municipal officials today are giving Boeung Kak residents houses and cash," he said.
He declined comment on how many residents had received compensation but said around 500 families have agreed to "deal" with the municipality.
8 comments:
PEOPEL POWER TO THE PEOPLE CAMBODIA!
THE CAMBODIAN PEOPLE NEED A REVOLUTION!
THE PEOPLE NEED TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLE POWER THROUGHOUT CAMBODIA. THIS IS THE ONLY MECHANISM TO BRING ABOUT CHANGES TO CAMBODIA.
SAY YES TO PEOPLE POWER!
Environment creates only hopeless future to the Poor! The rich now don't worry. But they should worry since 6 million now become poor and hopeless.
In Cambodia, SMEs has very few opportunity to grow because of political and economical environment such as Monopoly, Land Price Increase (land speculation and money laundering), high interest rate, poor infrastructure, and low gov't incentive.
How can we blame other SMEs for not being successful in such environment?
These 6 million poor should use their people power to show their government that they're not satified with their lives under the regime, and changes must be done.
Stupid people vote for Ah stupid Hun.
To 2:28 PM and 5:48 PM,
99% Cambodians are not educated about their Rights and contry law.
The People Power is only an effective tool for educated citizens such as Thai people.
Nona chea Khetakors reas khmers ?
To 2:28 PM and 5:48 PM,
99% Cambodians are not educated about their Rights and contry law.
The People Power is only an effective tool for educated citizens such as Thai people.
Nona chea Khetakors reas khmers ?
Kith Meng,
Please bring Cash- In ATM to save Cambodian lives from robbery as they can put money in their bank account anytime after work.
Please give opportunity to other Mobile phone to grow as well.
Mobitel is too corrupt! I lost my friend's number. They said I can't open the same number even the number is no longer exist in the system.
But they sold secretly to a dealer for $120 for shit number.
Too corrupt!
Anyway, 016 and 011 help line is also abusive line as well.
The summary below helps khmers to understand its leaders a bit better, I guess:
_Hun sen for Khmer: harsh words, crushing and killing.
_Hun sen for YOUN and Siams: bowing, kowtowing and crawling begging to stay in power (Sihamony also kowtowing, crawling to stay in reign.)
Someone better explains if YOUN is not behind everything in Cambodia and Xun Xen did not rule the country in favor of YOUN!!!!!!
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