Hochimonks prevented Buddhist monk from participating in a demonstration on land dispute in Siem Reap

Chikreng commune villagers shot by cops in 2009 (Photo: Savyouth, RFA)

A Hochimonk (right) tried to grab Venerable Luon Savath's hand (left) and pull him out the crowd of protesters in front of the Siem Reap provincial court. The Hochimonk wanted to take the venerable away (most likely to be disciplined by other Hochimonks), but the protesters protected the venerable and prevented the Hochimonks from taking him away (Photo: Hang Savyouth, RFA)

18 August 2010
By Hang Savyouth
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Venerable Luon Savath said: “I came by myself … I am in nobody’s way, I wear the monk robe, and they know that my brother was shot [by the cops], that my nephew was shot and that my relatives are being jailed, therefore, I have the rights. I am alive because these villagers feed me.”

Siem Reap monk officials attempted to remove a monk who represents Chikreng commune villagers who are involved in a 90-hectare rice field land dispute. The monk-representative was prohibited from participating in a protest in front of the provincial tribunal during the court hearing against 3 Chikreng commune representatives in the morning of 17 August.

Seven monk officials [KI-Media note: they are most likely Tep Vong’s communist Hochimonks] came to the provincial court and tried to take Venerable Luon Savath out. The latter represented the Chikreng commune villagers, and he was prevented from protesting in order to demand for a resolution in the land dispute. The protesters also demanded for the release of the 12 villagers who are currently being jailed. The Hochimonks accused Venerable Luon Savath of violating the Buddhist rule. However, the attempt made by the Hochimonks was a complete failure when the villagers defended Venerable Luon Savath and prevented the cops and the Hochimonks from taking him away.

Hochimonk Tek Bunlorng, an official monk for Siem Reap province, said that the participation by Venerable Luon Savath in the demonstration is a violation of Buddhist rule and monks are not allowed to stand in the open next to laymen. The Hochimonk added that even if there were shooting [on the villagers by the cops] just like during the Pol Pot regime, monks do not have the duty to protest or interfere on behalf of the laymen.

However, Venerable Luon Savath, the representative of the Chikreng commune villagers, rejected the accusations made by the Hochimonks, saying that he is not in any violation.

Venerable Luon Savath said: “I came by myself … I am in nobody’s way, I wear the monk robe, and they know that my brother was shot [by the cops], that my nephew was shot and that my relatives are being jailed, therefore, I have the rights. I am alive because these villagers feed me.”