By Mom Sophon
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media
About 200 poor Cambodian villagers, including young and old, men and women, have traveled by foot for the past 3 days from Battambang province to Phnom Penh city, to demand that Hun Sen helps resolve the confiscation of their lands by crooked businessmen and the provincial authority.
These villagers came from various villages in Bavel and Thmor Kaul districts, Battambang province, they just arrived in Pursat province yesterday.
Mrs. Chhoeun Ny, a representative of villagers from Bavel and Thmor Kaul districts, said on Saturday that the villagers have traveled 6 to 7 kilometers only because the children, aged between 8 months and 10 years old, are too exhausted.
Chhoeun Ny indicated: “I want to let you know that the old folks are very exhausted by the march, and the children have blisters and they cannot walk anymore, they are very exhausted when they arrived at this third stop, they are getting weaker and some are coming down with fever. Children when they walk too far, they get blisters on their feet, the young children must be breastfed and carried on the mother’s hip, then they have to carry 4-5 cups of rice and a change of clothes, they are becoming more and more exhausted, so we are facing a serious problem. Those who are fighting for a resolution demand, the situation is becoming a heavier burden for them.”
Chhoeun Ny indicated also that, last night, the villagers stayed at the Snam Preah pagoda, located in Snam Preah commune, Bakan district, Pursat.
Mrs. Chim Sarom, a representative of the villagers from the region of O’Voar Preng, Thmor Kaul district, indicated that the problem they are currently facing is the health condition for the children and the older people, because they have traveled for a long distance under the scorching sun and rain. Nevertheless, regardless of the obstacles they face, they are determined to continue their trip to Phnom Penh, they will never back down.
Ieng Chhun Han, a coordinator for the Licadho human rights group in Pursat province, indicated that among the 200 villagers, Licadho was able to provide health care to 80 of them who sought doctor’s help.
Ieng Chhun Han indicated also that Licadho officials are following up on this march, as well as the lodging situation. The organization is also providing food to the villagers, such as rice, sardines, clean water, and packaged noodle.
The representatives of the 200 villagers are insistently demanding the government to provide a resolution and to return as soon as possible their farmlands grabbed by the businessmen and the powerful officials because the rice planting season is already here. If there is no resolution to their cases, they will face food shortage next year.
These villagers came from various villages in Bavel and Thmor Kaul districts, Battambang province, they just arrived in Pursat province yesterday.
Mrs. Chhoeun Ny, a representative of villagers from Bavel and Thmor Kaul districts, said on Saturday that the villagers have traveled 6 to 7 kilometers only because the children, aged between 8 months and 10 years old, are too exhausted.
Chhoeun Ny indicated: “I want to let you know that the old folks are very exhausted by the march, and the children have blisters and they cannot walk anymore, they are very exhausted when they arrived at this third stop, they are getting weaker and some are coming down with fever. Children when they walk too far, they get blisters on their feet, the young children must be breastfed and carried on the mother’s hip, then they have to carry 4-5 cups of rice and a change of clothes, they are becoming more and more exhausted, so we are facing a serious problem. Those who are fighting for a resolution demand, the situation is becoming a heavier burden for them.”
Chhoeun Ny indicated also that, last night, the villagers stayed at the Snam Preah pagoda, located in Snam Preah commune, Bakan district, Pursat.
Mrs. Chim Sarom, a representative of the villagers from the region of O’Voar Preng, Thmor Kaul district, indicated that the problem they are currently facing is the health condition for the children and the older people, because they have traveled for a long distance under the scorching sun and rain. Nevertheless, regardless of the obstacles they face, they are determined to continue their trip to Phnom Penh, they will never back down.
Ieng Chhun Han, a coordinator for the Licadho human rights group in Pursat province, indicated that among the 200 villagers, Licadho was able to provide health care to 80 of them who sought doctor’s help.
Ieng Chhun Han indicated also that Licadho officials are following up on this march, as well as the lodging situation. The organization is also providing food to the villagers, such as rice, sardines, clean water, and packaged noodle.
The representatives of the 200 villagers are insistently demanding the government to provide a resolution and to return as soon as possible their farmlands grabbed by the businessmen and the powerful officials because the rice planting season is already here. If there is no resolution to their cases, they will face food shortage next year.
2 comments:
I'm afraid that the history will repeat itself: Cambodia is presently and precariously on the precipice of (yet another) civil war. People's power will inevitably precipitate the change, which means it could very well lead to a new revolution for a change in leadership (or regime), and the U.S. will quietly or surreptitiously assist a group who will spearhead the about changes as a new catalyst for the country and its people . Of course, numerous lives will be lost in the process (for a better Cambodia).
By the name of my father in Heaven,I beleive the past will not repeat itself in my country.
I pray to God to save the kingdom of Cambodia for all khmer people and I asking all powerful Country to please help my Country and my people from the evils.
THank you!!!!!
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