Tuesday, 3 June 2008

Battambang Villagers March on Capital

By Vong Dara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Battambang Province
01 June 2008

Khmer audio aired May 28 (933KB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired May 28 (933KB) - Listen (MP3)

After resting half a day Saturday, Battambang villagers resumed their march to the capital, where they hope to have a land dispute resolved.

They moved another 20 kilometers Sunday, crossing into Pursat province, tired, but not as tired as the day before.

Sao Mony, a representative of the villagers of Bovel, said “generous people” on the road encouraged the marchers and helped by bringing food to the roadside.

Rights workers say a number of authorities have been seen working to ensure the safety of the villagers, around 200 of them, on their march.

The marchers say they have appealed to Battambang’s provincial governor, but have found only indifference, and so they are moving to Phnom Penh, where they hope officials can help them.

They’ve lost more than 100 hectares of land in sales in 1999 and 2005, the marchers say.

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