SRP to commemorate the 1997 grenade attack

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(Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

23 March 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The SRP plans to organize a commemoration of the 13th anniversary of the grenade attack which took place in front of the National Assembly on 30 March. This is the 13th anniversary of the 1997 attack when four grenades were thrown on demonstrators who were demanding for justice and democracy. The demonstration was led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy and it resulted in 20 deaths and more than 100 injured. In a letter sent to Kep Chuktema, the Phnom Penh city governor, to ask for the authorization to organize the commemoration, Mrs. Ker Sovannaroth, SRP Secretary-general, indicated that on 30 March, the SRP will organize a commemoration for the victims of the 30 March grenade attack. 400 people, including Buddhist monks, plan to join the commemoration. Up to yesterday, the SRP had not receive the authorization from the city yet, however, Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the ministry of Interior, told the Phnom Penh Post over the phone that the government will not ban the commemoration for the victims if an authorization was sent to the local authority.