Lake protestors take ‘homes’ to City Hall

Boeung Kak lake residents protest at city hall yesterday. Photograph: Meng Kimlong/Phnom Penh Post

Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Khouth Sophak Chakrya
The Phnom Penh Post

Nearly 100 Boeung Kak lake villagers took to city hall yesterday carrying mattresses, umbrellas and food to protest what they called government inaction on the long-standing land dispute over their eviction from the lake.

They were met by hundreds of police officers stationed nearby, but there were no reported clashes.

Nine representatives were allowed to meet with city officials.

They said authorities vowed to resolve grievances after the coming commune elections in early June.

Srah Chak commune resident Sen Touch, 41, said the Phnom Penh municipal authority was doing what it has always done: delaying things.

“We can’t stand awaiting the solution anymore,” she said.

She added that Shukaku, the company behind a development project that has filled the lake with sand and forced residents out, destroyed her house without providing any compensation.

She also said that she is one of 90 families cut off from the 12.44 hectares of land granted by the government to displaced residents last year.

She added that villagers will attempt to reconstruct houses on their former property this morning.