Thursday, 13 August 2009

Lakeside residents protest at 4 govt sites

The Phnom Penh Post
Thursday, 13 August 2009
May Titthara

SIXTY residents representing 130 families from Boeung Kak lake's Village 4 staged protests Wednesday in front of four government buildings after receiving an eviction letter from City Hall earlier this week.

"Today we went to ... the ministries of environment and interior, the Council of Ministers and the prime minister's cabinet - to seek assistance," said Hor Sathaya, a Village 4 resident.

The letter, issued Monday by Phnom Penh Municipality, gave residents of Village 4 one week to accept government compensation in the form of a cash settlement or alternative housing in Damnak Trayoeng village in Dangkor district.

Residents said the letter offered an ambiguous third option of temporary off-site housing and the possibility of returning once development at the site was complete.

The site is being developed by Shukaku Inc as a commercial and residential complex.

"They said they want us to move temporarily, and when construction finishes, they will let us come back. But we're afraid they're going to cheat us," said Sear Nareath, another representative of Village 4.

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