Lake Protest Turns Violent as Residents Block Road

One protester takes pills, another cuts wrist in apparent suicide bids

Police in Phnom Penh arrested four women yesterday during a series of violent clashes between about 40 Boeng Kak lade residents and authorities over a disputed plot of land and the apparent suicide of a fellow resident last week. About 30 residents gathered at Boeng Kak Lake’s Village 22 at about 9 am demanding that they be included in a 12.44 hectare plot of land that was promised to lake residents by Prime Minister Hun Sen in August, but that excludes 94 families. An hour later, the residents moved to City Hall, and the protest took a drastic turn when two women appeared to carry out a suicide attempt, one by taking pills and another by taking a blade to her wrist. Kong Chantha, who has been one of the most outspoken women involved in the villagers’ fight against real estate firm Shukaku Inc, which is owned by CPP Senator Lao Meng Khin, took between three and five unidentifiable pills and seemed to fall unconscious. She awoke 15 minutes later after fellow protesters made efforts to revive her. Another protester, Kheat Chanreaksmey, cut her left wrist with a razor before other villagers intervened and stopped her from doing further damage to herself. Residents said that the acts were connected to the death of fellow resident Chea Dara, who jumped to her death from the Japanese Friendship Bridge last week. “We struggle for our land,” said Lake Resident Bouv Saophea. “[Ms Chanreaksmey] cut her wrist to show the authorities that [Chea Dara] killed herself for this land. We are showing the authorities our suffering and pain.” “We protest because there is no solution for us,” said Ms Chantha, after she had swallowed the pills. “We will sacrifice ourselves for this 12.44 hectares. I will continue to protest in order to protect our rights and our land.” At 10.40 am, intervention police arrested lake residents Tep Vanny. Bo Chhorvy and Heng Mom after they ran into the middle of Monivong Boulevard in an attempt to block traffic. It was unclear whether the women arrested yesterday had been released.