Hundreds of superstitious villagers in Svay Rieng province who recently thrashed a Christian church they blamed for a three-year drought were back out in force on Saturday demanding the building be dismantled.
Though the fields of Svay Chrum district were drenched by rain for the first time in three years over the weekend, the respite wasn’t enough to appease some 300 villagers who turned out to petition for the church’s removal.
Provincial officials said the demonstrators were more peaceful than July 13, when locals stormed the Protestant place of worship, smashed windows, shutters, lights and fans and threw dozens of Christian Bibles in a nearby pond.“I ordered the provincial police and district governors to go there and talk with the people to calm them down,” Hun Neng, Svay Rieng governor and older brother of Prime Minister Hun Sen, said Monday.
Police arrived in Svay Prouhuot village as the crowd of 400 gathered around a loud-speaker in front of the villa-style residence housing the place of worship.
“We did not allow them to continue because it could affect the election. I received 200 to 300 thumbprints demanding the removal of the church from the area. But I have not decided yet. I will wait until the election is finished,” Hun Neng said.
Hun Neng said he was afraid this small conflict between Buddhists and Christians could spread into widespread religious tension. Hun Neng blamed the problem on Cambodian Christians who insulted Buddhism, but he gave no details for his claims.
“No rain for three years, that’s why they are angry with the presence of the church. Now it is raining, but they are still demanding to have the church removed,” Svay Chrum district Governor Uy Than said Monday.
Svay Rieng provincial Police Chief Soth Nady played down the new protest on Monday, saying he had not been informed of any new unrest.
