Cambodian police fire tear gas to break up protest clashes

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian police Tuesday fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators demanding authorities reopen the country´s main protest venue, as clashes left at least 30 people injured, rights groups said.

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 (ADHOC). An AFP photographer at the scene 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 Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO). It was the latest opposition rally in Cambodia where 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.

Military police spokesman Kheng Tito told that 17 guards were injured in Tuesday´s clashes and three opposition politicians, including prominent MP-elect Mu Sochua, were detained for leading the protest.

Cambodia has ended a ban on public protests that was imposed after the garment workers´ strike, but organisers still have to obtain permission for rallies.

Yim Sovann, spokesman for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, demanded authorities release his colleagues, saying their actions were in line with the constitution.

"Authorities should not have closed Freedom Park because it is the only place for people in Phnom Penh and other provinces to protest," he said.