Villagers in Russey Keo District Protested against Eviction

At least 30 villagers from Boeung Chhouk community gathered in front of Russey Keo district, Phnom Penh city on the morning of Wednesday, May 19, 2010 to protest against the notification issued by the district authority to ask them to move out of the area and to ask for the detail explanation from the authority over the matter.

The notification, which signed on May 12 by Governor Khlaing Huot, wrote that the 35 families were illegally living on land owned by Lao Tong Ngy and set the deadline for them to leave by May 26, 2010.

However, villagers who had been living in the area since the 1990s did not know who Lao Tong Ngy was.

Finally the district authority allowed only 2 villager representative to enter the office. However the officials did not tell them about their identity or position at all. They only asked residents to lodge a complaint with Kilometer 6 commune. When they brought the complaint to the office, they were told to bring to Toul Sangke commune office because the notification of eviction was made in Toul Sangke.

However, when they arrived at the office, one official came to meet them. Finally the villagers decided to come back and meet together to have a next plan.