Two priests sacked for allowing Sam Rainsy to hold a Kathen ceremony at Ang Romdenh Pagoda

Mr. Sam Rainsy (on the phone) leading villagers to uproot the illegal demarcation poles.

By Khmerization

Human rights activists reported that two priests from Ang Romdenh Pagoda from Samrong commune, Chantrea district in Prey Veng province were sacked after allowing Mr. Sam Rainsy to hold a Kathen ceremony on 25th October, where Mr. Sam rainsy had also led about 100 villagers to uproot six border demarcation poles they said were illegally planted by the Vietnamese authority, reports Radio Free Asia.

Mr. Ngeth Dara, Svay Rieng provincial investigator for the human rights group Adhoc, said two priests had been sacked and a number of people in the village had been sued by the Chantrea local authority. "In regard to the issue and recently some people were sued and two members of the temple committee had been sacked", he said.

Mr. Chea Yeang, Governor of Chantrea district, denied rumours that two priests were sacked and had directed any questions regarding the matter to the provincial authority. "Please ask the provincial authority. There is no sackings (of the two priests). We do not meddle in the religious affairs. No one will meddle in the affairs of religion", he said.

However, Second Deputy Chief of Samrong commune in Chantrea district, Mr. Pov Pheap, said the two priests had been sacked, but are likely to be reinstated after strong protests from other members of the temple committee. "During the meeting with me the chief priest threatened to quit if the two priests are sacked. He said that he will resign (from the temple committee). May be in the 8th day of the waning moon (next few days) they will be reinstated, but a few days ago they were sacked", he said.

Mr. Pov Pheap added that the Chantrea district authority had lodged a lawsuit against Mr. Sam Rainsy for "sabotage and destruction of public properties."

He added that the Vietnamese authority had transported sands and other material to the spot where Mr. Rainsy and villagers had uprooted six demarcation poles, but he doesn't know when they will install the permanent border pillars on the spot.