Two rival parties’ leaders to meet after violence cause dead and wounded

By Vathey
Cambodia News

Phnom Penh (September 16, 2013): Leaders of the two rival political parties – Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and Sam Rainsy’s Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) are supposed to meet Monday morning after violence protest on Sunday night leaving at least one man killed and several others were wounded.

A riot policeman on Sunday night shot a young journalist and journalism student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh on the head while he was viewing a crowd confronting with police. At least one man was killed instantly and at least 20 others were wounded, human rights worker at the scene told New Youth.

Hundreds of gunshots have been heard and at least three smoke grenades have been thrown near a gasoline station. Several Armored Personnel Carrier and armed forces have been beefed up to confront with thousands of people now.

Cambodia has been in political crisis between the ruling and opposition parties since July 28 national election. CPP wins 68 out of 123 parliamentary seats and CNRP gets 55 seats.

The CNRP has rejected the results saying that its party’s results have been stolen and alleged National Election Committee (NEC) as the thief who helped steal the election results for CPP.

King Norodom Sihamoni on Saturday officially recognised the controversial results, paving the way for Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to rule the country for the next five years.

During a close door and rush meeting on Saturday morning at the Royal Palace between Prime Minister Hun Sen and CNRP leader Sam Rainsy, the King handed over invitation letters to the two political foes to kick off the first meeting of the National Assembly on September 23, 2013.

However, CNRP leaders on Sunday have led some three hundreds of thousands of protesters in the Freedom Park in Phnom Penh for mass demonstration and they denied the King’s invitation. They also called all candidates of the national assembly members from CNRP not to join the meeting on September 23.