Anniversary Marked With Fiery Demonstration
Residents of Phnom Penh’s Boeng Kak neighborhood burned straw effigies symbolizing corrupt government officials yesterday to mark the one-year anniversary of the demolition of eight homes at the contested site. Roughly 100 protesters gathered at the site of the demolitions and set fire to eight scarecrow-like effigies- one for each home demolished by excavators in a violent eviction in September 2011. The scarecrows were dressed in black shirts and trousers and blue krama scarves to make them look like Khmer Rouge soldiers. … In October, the families filed a lawsuit with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court blaming the demolitions of the homes on four individuals: Daun Penh District Deputy Governor Sok Penhvuth, Phnom Penh riot police Lieutenant General Phorn Sophen, Phnom Penh riot police Major Roth Korsal, and private contractor Sok Hong, who was hired by Shukaku to fill Boeng Kak lake with sand. …
