Construction Co. Truck Torched After Dispute in 'Red Earth' Neighborhood

By Heng Reaksmey,
VOA Khmer Orginal report from Phnom Penh
08 January 2008

Listen Heng Reaksmey reports in Khmer

Residents of a Phnom Penh neighborhood slated for development demolition allegedly set fire to the truck of a construction company's truck, officials said Tuesday.

Chhim Savuth, an investigator for the Cambodia Center for Human Rights, said residents of the Red Earth neighborhood, near the National Assembly building, and employees of the 7NG Company had thrown rocks at each other.

An hour later, he said, a 7NG truck parked near the entrance of the neighborhood was lit on fire.
Several witnesses said company personnel set fire to the truck and blamed the villagers.

The fire is the latest in a round of sparring between the residents of Red Earth, who claim they are being unfairly evicted from their homes, and 7NG.

Srey Sothea, a representative of 7NG, said Tuesday the company was being caught up in a dispute between residents and local authorities.