Villagers’ Houses Burned and Destroyed in Kampong Speu

At least 3 houses of former disabled soldiers were burned and destroyed on March 18, 2010 in Veal Thom village, Traeng Trayueng commune, Phnom Srouch district, Kampong Speu province by a group of 7-8 RCAF.

According to the interview quoted by the Radio Free Asia, published on March 20, 2010 the victims whose houses were destroyed in the event included Mr. Gnen Gneng, 42, his right leg was cut in 1998; Mr. Bun Sophat, his left leg was cut in 1996; and the other could not be reached in the area.

Related to the event on March 18, 2010 these victims reported that the group of 7-8 RCAF soldiers came with 7 guns in hands; and started setting fire to 2 houses and chopped down the other house nearby at around 3:00 PM.

Mr. Bun Sophat also said, as quoted by the Phnom Penh Post, issued on March 23, 2010, that the group fired 7 shots into the air; and intimidated anyone in the village, who resisted not leaving the area. He also added that they forcedly evicted the villagers only to grab their land for sale.

Mr. Touch Seouly, director of the Cambodian Association for Disability Relief, commented on the issue that the villagers have received a social land concession from the government since 2000. There were approximately 400 families then, who got the total land of 1,500 hectare in order to do farming for a living. Since then the area has appeared with the form of infrastructure; such as school, pagoda, referral health center, market and roads.

He also said that he would file a complaint with Provincial Court against those RCAF soldiers to ask them for compensation of 3,000 dollars each.