Girl shot dead, 30 arrested in crackdown on land protestors

CHHLOUNG Kratie, 16th May 2012, (Cambodia Herald) – A 10-year-old girl was shot dead Wednesday as hundreds of military police broke up settlements by land protestors in Kampong Domrei, police said.

Chan Sovet, an official at human rights group Adhoc, identified the victim only as Chantha and said she was shot in the chest. It was not clear who shot the girl.

A source in Kratie said up to 1,000 soldiers, police officers and soldiers were involved in the crackdown and that 30 people were arrested among 1,000 families occupying the area.

The massive operation was undertaken after an emergency meeting chaired by Interior Minister Sar Kheng in Kratie Tuesday. Sources said the meeting was also attended by General Neth Savoeun, the national police commissioner, and senior military police.

On Monday, Land Minister Im Chhun Lim said the illegal  occupation amounted to a "secession" by protestors putting pressure on local residents.

"They want to create a state within a state," he said. "Government authorities won’t let them do it."

A source in Kampong Domrei zone said about 200 people were seen Wednesday with Bun Rotha, who had earlier been arrested for destroying the property of a company called Kasutim, which reportedly owns a rubber concession in the area.

A Chhloung district official said that Bun Rotha, who has since been released after residents blockaded a road, had gathered many local followers.

In an attempt to eliminate authority in the area, the official said he had set up four check points and appointed group chairmen and village leaders to control certain areas.

Prime Minister Hun Sen set up an inter-ministerial commission last week to solve the problems in Chhloung distict.