Angkor Villagers protest evictions

[geovalin]

About 50 people representing 100 villagers living in Zone 1 and 2 of the Angkor Archaeological Park yesterday gathered in front of Siem Reap provincial hall to demand that the Apsara Authority stop dismantling their homes. The residents were given multiple warning to remove the homes themselves and then the Apsara Authority began dismantling them last week, claiming the structures were illegal and could affect the heritage status of the park.

 

More than 500 structures sprung up before the June 4 commune elections, with most villagers getting permission to build from village and commune officials. The Apsara Authority says it is the only one that can grant building permits in the park and the illegal structures must be removed.

 

Bun Heng, who joined the protest yesterday, said villagers were facing debts from money borrowed to build their homes and wanted more time to gather funds before their homes are dismantled. “We went to the provincial hall to ask the authorities to delay the demolition because some people who constructed new homes borrowed money from the bank to build, so they want more time to solve their debts,” Mr Heng said.

 

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5078154/villagers-protest-evictions/

 

 

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