Provinces to get protest sites

Minister of Interior Sar Kheng yesterday called on authorities in each province and municipality to ease demonstrations in the capital by creating a site for non-violent protests ahead of a planned opposition rally on Saturday. In a two-page letter sent to provincial officials, Kheng – who is also a deputy prime minister – said the order was aimed at maintaining calm. “To make it easy to maintain public order and security, a non-violent ‘freedom park’ site should be designated in every province and municipality,” reads the letter, dated Tuesday and distributed yesterday. The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has vowed mass demonstrations in Phnom Penh on Saturday, barring a thorough inquiry into election irregularities. Though the party has insisted demonstrations would be non-violent, and yesterday said it would be strictly a peaceful mass prayer, municipal authorities have been beefing up security in the lead-up. Kheng’s letter appears to be aimed at keeping calm further afield. “Increase security measures to protect public order in each locality and work hard to gather information from all sources related to the activities of incitement for violence or sabotage to prevent and suppress effectively,” it continues. …

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/provinces-get-protest-sites