PHNOM PENH: Cambodian police yesterday fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators demanding authorities reopen the country’s main protest venue, as clashes left at least 30 people injured.
Violence erupted after around 300 opposition activists protested outside Phnom Penh’s “Freedom Park” which has been closed since a bloody crackdown on striking garment workers in January.
Scores of security guards and protesters fought with sticks and stones injuring at least 30 people, mostly guards, said Chan Soveth of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association.
A witness saw at least two guards lying on the ground bleeding with head wounds.
“Police then fired several tear gas bombs” to disperse the demonstration, said Am Sam Ath of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights.
In Cambodia, authorities have responded violently to any form of public dissent in recent months.
In January, police shot dead four striking garment factory employees for demanding higher wages in what activists described as the country’s worst state violence against its citizens in 15 years.
AFP
