By VOA Khmer Stringers Original reports from Phnom Penh
19 January 2009
Cambodian military police prevented a protest of villagers near the Kandal provincial home of Prime Minister Hun Sen early Monday, following a shooting incident Friday.
Nearly 40 representatives of villagers from Kandal Stung district, Kandal province, who are embroiled in a land dispute with the Heng Akphiwath Company, amassed near Hun Sen’s home, but military police dispersed them and ordered them to return home, human rights officials said.
“In the morning, a lot of villagers representing 292 families tried to hold a protest against Heng Akphiwath, but military policed armed [with weapons] and electric batons tried to block them and push them away,” said one protester, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The military police ordered villagers to stay in their homes or register with police if they planned to leave, the protester said.
Kandal Governor Chhun Sirun denied Monday that military police had blocked a protest.
“I went there this morning, but I did not see any protesters,” he said.
The attempted protest follows a shooting Friday in Kandal Stung, where villagers say military police are aiding Heng Akphiwath in a land grab.
Two men were injured by shots fired by the military police and remain in Meanchey hospital, in Takmao district, while another eight people were injured in ensuing violence.
One man was knocked unconscious, but was recovering at home Monday. Another man was arrested Friday, but was released on Sunday, after he gave $30 to military police, said Am Samath, an investigator for the rights group Licadho.
Officials from Heng Akphiwath Company declined to comment Monday.
Chhun Sirun said the military had fired in self defense, as villagers threatened them with knives and axes. The military police had not fired directly at villagers, but had fired at the ground, the wounded hurt by shrapnel, he said.
He said the incident was “small,” and military police had received reprimands from their commanders, he said.
Monday’s protest was only one among several this week: villagers in the provinces of Siem Reap, Battambang, Kampot also protesting land disputes.
Nearly 40 representatives of villagers from Kandal Stung district, Kandal province, who are embroiled in a land dispute with the Heng Akphiwath Company, amassed near Hun Sen’s home, but military police dispersed them and ordered them to return home, human rights officials said.
“In the morning, a lot of villagers representing 292 families tried to hold a protest against Heng Akphiwath, but military policed armed [with weapons] and electric batons tried to block them and push them away,” said one protester, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The military police ordered villagers to stay in their homes or register with police if they planned to leave, the protester said.
Kandal Governor Chhun Sirun denied Monday that military police had blocked a protest.
“I went there this morning, but I did not see any protesters,” he said.
The attempted protest follows a shooting Friday in Kandal Stung, where villagers say military police are aiding Heng Akphiwath in a land grab.
Two men were injured by shots fired by the military police and remain in Meanchey hospital, in Takmao district, while another eight people were injured in ensuing violence.
One man was knocked unconscious, but was recovering at home Monday. Another man was arrested Friday, but was released on Sunday, after he gave $30 to military police, said Am Samath, an investigator for the rights group Licadho.
Officials from Heng Akphiwath Company declined to comment Monday.
Chhun Sirun said the military had fired in self defense, as villagers threatened them with knives and axes. The military police had not fired directly at villagers, but had fired at the ground, the wounded hurt by shrapnel, he said.
He said the incident was “small,” and military police had received reprimands from their commanders, he said.
Monday’s protest was only one among several this week: villagers in the provinces of Siem Reap, Battambang, Kampot also protesting land disputes.
11 comments:
That is a cropped old picture. A failed propaganda by KI bullshit team lol. Yea, there is a standoff between the villagers and the authority but that picture is not from the current event. This is an old photo from an old land dispute. Oh KI, how easy are thou to be caught in the midst of your own manipulation?
You are correct, 4:21AM. KI Media must be condemned for their blatant disregard for journalistic professionalism. This tactic undermines their credibility as well as their spiritual leader Lao Mong Hay.
- Khmer Patriot, Ph.D.
this action as Yuon robbery used Yuon military faked to act as khmer military to harm khmer farm
This is a coward act of the Military Police. They fire the real bullet to the people as a self defense ? Sic
Kem Sokha Should tell the people about the role of MP or you should resign.Do not use the barbarian act as the rule of law.
People from the US
4:21 AM
Although I disagree the land issues that are taking place in Cambodia. You do make a good argument with that picture. I don't really just how balanced any Media is these days. So it's probably up to the individual to make an informed decisions with the material. With the government censoring critism and opposition voices, what truth will there ever be, but the continued suffering of the Cambodian people.
Isn't the job of the Military Police is to policing the soliders, not the people? Why these MP are so bad to khmer but not to any Siam or Vietnamese along the boarders?
Khmer MP, you should wake up.
Old Maxim that last long time ago : Khmers Kill Khmers.
The 3K maxim. The last evident was at Khmer Rouge.
Right now, the best evidence is Kor-5 of CPP. CPP continue to use their Kor-5 until today. From 92 to 2006, their Kor-5 seem quiet. It's just a break, because of Funcinpec...
Anyway, why the hell Military Police is everywhere? What the hell is Military Police work for Heng Development Company? Military Police is with the government ? Does Cambodia has a catastrophic's situation everyday. Normally, it's the local police who should the dispute between the company and the peasants.
CPP want to destroy Funcinpec. We, Khmers oversea and khmers in cambodia, have help CPP. The consequence for this action is peasant khmers in countryside are suffering. No one dare to confront CPP. Before, where peasants have problem with high rank CPP, We have Funcinpec act as middlemen. SRP act as the good man. Now, why SRP MPs are hiding? Why can't they act as good man like in 2005 or 2006.
Lesson : Before killing Funcinpec, assess the consequence !
Khmer Canadian
Brelliant The Military Police ask the people to go home.
I think they forget that their so call "home" has been burnt down and their land has been stolen from them. So they can take up resident in Hun Sen houses since he have so many and each are huge in size the whole village can live in Hun Sen house....
This will reduce proverty in Cambodia...if all Khmer can live in Hun Sen private houses!!!
why can someone stopping this kind od illegal action against the innocents?
To KI you should publish all land eviction incident picture for the record...to ensure each picture is up-todate and relevant
There should be a time, location and people affected photos....
You should encourage the public to SMS/email you the picture....
People got issue and need PM to take note and mediate in the case. If he fails to pay attention to people’s concern, whom would they go to for help?
Burning people’s houses down and land grapping make no different from Pol Pot’s regime. It is so cruelty and no sympathy toward the poor whatsoever. Maybe this is why people wishing for a change in gov’t.
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