Officials Mute on Shooting Investigation; Rights Groups Concerned

Government officials remained tight-lipped yesterday about progress in their investigation of the Feb. 20 shooting of three female garment workers during a strike and demonstration in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet city. On Feb 20, three women were wounded when a uniformed gunman opened fire at a protest that turned violent in Bavet City’s Manhattan Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Interior Minster Sar Kheng said last week that authorities had already identified a suspect. However, no arrests have been announced so far and, yesterday, Svay Rieng provincial officials declined to commment on the police investigation into the shooting. Mr. Kheng has also not commented since.