Saturday, 7 June 2008

Pailin Evictions Lead to Brief Detention

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
06 June 2008

Khmer audio aired 06 June 2008 (803 KB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired 06 June 2008 (803 KB) - Listen (MP3)

Fifteen residents of Pailin were briefly detained Thursday evening during forced evictions that came without compensation, rights workers and residents said.

The evictions took place in Stung Trong commune, Salakrao district, under municipal authority.

Among those detained, five were women, rights workers said. As they were being transported in a makeshift vehicle to the Salakrao police headquarters for questioning, the vehicle broke down, and police released the residents, rights workers said.

The evictions continued Friday, but no violence was reported.

"Regarding this detention, it is a mistake of the police, because it is a kind of threat for the people," Chhuon Makara, a local rights investigator for Adhoc, said.

Pailin Deputy Governor Mei Meak said the authorities were undertaking the evictions under Pailin court warrant and said the evictees had grabbed the land of the state.

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