Protesters Move Largely Unhindered by Police Checkpoints

Despite the return of police checkpoints around Phnom Penh on Wednesday morning ahead of the opposition CNRP’s latest protest against July’s still-disputed national election, most demonstrators coming in from the provinces were let through. Typifying what turned out to be a lighter security touch compared to other mass protests since the July 28 vote, police at checkpoints along some of the major roads leading into Phnom Penh were at ease as trucks passed by laden with CNRP supporters on their way into the city. Still, not all Phnom Penh-bound trucks were so lucky. … Rights group Licadho said its monitors also reported checkpoints along national roads 1, 3, 4, 5 and 21. “Reports indicate that all supporters have been allowed to continue on their way into the city,” Licadho said in an online update of the day’s events on its website. According to Licadho monitors, police attempted to search some 70 trucks along National Road 4 in Kandal province, Ang Snuol district, allegedly for drugs, but relented after passengers threatened to block the road in protest. Police reportedly stopped another 30 trucks headed to the protest along National Road 21 through Kandal’s Sa’ang district, but also relented after negotiations with the passengers. … Kheng Tito, spokesman for the national military police, one of the most active units in the post-election security buildup in and around Phnom Penh, said he had no knowledge of any trucks being turned around. But he said the checkpoints would stay in place until Friday, when the opposition protests are scheduled to wrap up. “We will continue to check vehicles for any tools that can be used as weapons,” he said. …

 Khuon Narim and Zsombor Peter
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/protesters-move-largely-unhindered-by-police-checkpoints-45741/