Original report from Phnom Penh
29 October 2009
Police in Kampong Thom province have blocked villagers from participating in a Buddhist ceremony at a remote pagoda on disputed land for the past two days, officials said Thursday.
Celebrants of the Kathen ceremony, in which the faithful bring offerings to sequestered monks, were stopped 15 kilometers outside the pagoda, in Santhouk district, which the provincial governor called “illegitimate.”
“We blocked them, but it does not mean we’re preventing people from holding the ceremony,” the governor, Chhun Choan, said. “That place is part of a land concession given to a company for the investment of rubber.”
Villagers from the provinces of Kandal and Kampong Cham had meant to travel to the Meakea Prachea Hema Voan pagoda, with gifts for monks who must remain on the premises for three months. The Katen ceremony ends Nov. 2.
“Yesterday, they blocked one convoy, and today another,” said Leng Chea, a monk’s assistant. “If they claim that the pagoda is illegal, they must wait until the ceremony is finished.”
The pagoda, located 100 kilometers from Kampong Thom town, was built by an association assisting debilitated soldiers. It is little more than a small house where two monks live.
Khun Sok Kea, head of the association, said he had acquired the land legally in 2004.
Celebrants of the Kathen ceremony, in which the faithful bring offerings to sequestered monks, were stopped 15 kilometers outside the pagoda, in Santhouk district, which the provincial governor called “illegitimate.”
“We blocked them, but it does not mean we’re preventing people from holding the ceremony,” the governor, Chhun Choan, said. “That place is part of a land concession given to a company for the investment of rubber.”
Villagers from the provinces of Kandal and Kampong Cham had meant to travel to the Meakea Prachea Hema Voan pagoda, with gifts for monks who must remain on the premises for three months. The Katen ceremony ends Nov. 2.
“Yesterday, they blocked one convoy, and today another,” said Leng Chea, a monk’s assistant. “If they claim that the pagoda is illegal, they must wait until the ceremony is finished.”
The pagoda, located 100 kilometers from Kampong Thom town, was built by an association assisting debilitated soldiers. It is little more than a small house where two monks live.
Khun Sok Kea, head of the association, said he had acquired the land legally in 2004.
5 comments:
Be ware, the devil is here. The Tmil without Sasna. The world is controled by the Satin even more.
People have been victimized for so long and will say enough is enough. Violence seems inevitable.
Don't forget to vote for Samdech Deck choy Hun Sen and his clan again in 2012.
yes samdach kick those peasants out of the land.....don't worry no matter what you do you'll still win anyway....it's a win-win policy....and it's a pregnant elephant policy...you have the NEC and the dumb people that always vote for some msg, salt,sugar that you stole from them and give them back when you need their vote....they don't know.....don't worry just evict them samdach one eye......
Hun Sen please call upon all political leaders to come and work together as a team or otherwise other nations will take advantage of our nation. Please, help each other out. Outsiders are waiting to get their hand on our men, women and children. Please think carefully, we must come together and promote unity, love, compassion and by using all medias across our country, it will be done. Aust
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