A fried-banana vendor suspected of fatally knifing a rice seller during a quarrel over water spilled outside a garment factory will be questioned alongside her husband at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court today, police said.
Loeng Sokra, 37, a sugarcane-juice maker and his wife, Chhorm Nai, 35, who sells fried bananas, began arguing with Chhuon Chantha, 34, outside the factory in Sen Sok district’s Toek Thla commune at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, according to district police chief Mok Hong.
Ms. Chantha, a rice and coffee seller, had approached the pair after Ms. Nai’s sister, who had been cleaning fruit in a basin, spilled the dirty water, which spread toward the stall belonging to Ms. Chantha, said commune police Sok Sophal.
An argument ensued, and Ms. Nai allegedly threw a knife at Ms. Chantha, hitting her in the chest, Mr. Sophal said.
“And then the husband jumped in to help fight,” he said.
Vendors rushed Ms. Chantha to Preah Kossamak Hospital, where she died three hours later, and reported the incident to commune police, who arrested the couple, he said.
Ms. Nai and Mr. Sokra were questioned at the commune police station before being sent to the district police station later in the day, he added.
Mr. Hong, the district police chief, said they would be sent to the municipal court for questioning this afternoon.
