Wanted: big trucks for a big crowd

30 September 2014
The Phnom Penh Post
Civil society / Constitution and rights / Government / Human rights / Law and judiciary / Laws and regulations / Ministries and other national bodies / Ministry of Interior / Social development
Cambodian Center for Human Rights / Chuon Narin / Global Security Solutions / John Muller / Kirth Chantharith / Ministry of Interior / National Police / UN Human Rights Council

With the spectre of potential garment-sector unrest on the horizon and emboldened communities protesting land disputes, the National Police is buying what appear to be the authorities’ first water-cannon trucks designed specifically to control demonstrations. … In advertisements in yesterday’s Post and Post Khmer newspapers, the Ministry of Interior announced public bidding for two top-of-the-line Tata Daweoo water-cannon trucks “to be used against demonstration”. The DWC model trucks can carry up to 10,000 litres of water and can shoot at a range of 50 metres. … Other procurement notices put out from the MOI yesterday request 25 Nissan pickup trucks for the same “social order” purposes. The ministry is also procuring more shields, electric batons and protective clothing for police. An official at the MOI’s procurement office who would not give his name said that the water cannon would be used “against demonstrators who have incited” others. …

 Kevin Ponniah and Chhay Channyda
http://phnompenhpost.com/national/wanted-big-trucks-big-crowd