Residents of the Dey Krahorm and Group 78 villages in Phnom Penh’s Tonle Bassac commune took new courses of action Monday in their fights against threatened eviction by City Hall.
One hundred villagers representing 304 Dey Krahorm families protested outside the National Assembly asking Assembly President Heng Samrin for help, while representatives of 146 families in Group 78 took out full-page newspaper ads appealing for the intervention of Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Dozens of police officers were deployed at the Assembly as the Dey Krahorm families protested, some sporting CPP T-shirts and caps and holding pictures of Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany.
Assembly First Vice President Nguon Nhel said that the complaints had been received.
“The actions we will take will be legal and in accordance with the land law,” he said.
The latest eviction notice letter signed by Chamkar Mon District Governor Lou Yuy states that the Dey Krahorm families must vacate the area by Thursday.
Deputy District Governor Mea Sopheap said that the Dey Krahorm villagers were living on state land and most had already agreed to relocate to plots in Dangkao district.
“[The rest] have to move before the deadline or they will lose their property,” he said.
However, villagers said they still had hope their homes would be saved.
“We hope when [the lawmakers] receive our documents, they will look into it,” said villager representative Phuong Ratha.
Group 78—which is situated next to Dey Krahorm—took out a newspaper ad calling for the intervention of Hun Sen in their case and drew attention to the inconsistent explanations given for their eviction.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema said that people had the right to express their opinions.
“When it comes to development, we cannot satisfy all of the people,” he added.
