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By Khmerization

Two Thai policemen were accused of using excessive force against an unarmed Cambodian lady and her 8 year-old daughter while they were catching crabs and snails at a creek along the borders, reports Radio Free Asia.

48 year-old Hourn Han from Samakki village, Kork Romiet commune in Thmor Puok district of Banteay Meanchey province, said that on 25th October, she and her 8 year-old daughter went to catch crabs and snails at a creek near Thai Border Post 17 located near Border Pillar 38 in Taphraya district of Sakeo province. She said at 11:30 am, two Thai policemen suddenly appeared and called both of them to go up the ground and without warning started kicking her repeatedly, breaking her left wrist. "I went to catch snails and two of them (Thai policemen) called us to come out of the creek, without asking us any questions, they started kicking on my hands, my back and the last kick caused my arm to break. They shouted for me to run and they fired a single shot at me also", she said.

She added that her 8 year-old daughter was unhurt because she had run away because she was traumatised by the violence perpetrated against her by the two Thai policemen.

This incident happened after another Cambodian man was beaten into unconsciousness by a group of Thai men at Aranyaprathet town on 21st October, 2009.

Mr. Porn Savorn, Cambodian deputy military commander of Thmor Puok district, said that he met with Mr. Chaksokhorn Khanchayabhumi, commander of Thai battalion 17, but the commander denied that his men had beaten the Cambodian lady in question. "Why did they beat her, why did they kick her until her wrist was broken because she was just catching snails?", Mr. Savorn said.

Mr. Chhean Dara, chief of Kork Romiet Police Station, said local Cambodian authority are preparing a letter of complaint to send to the Thai authority regarding Mrs. Hourn Han's case.

Mr. Mao Pov, chief of Samakki village, said Thai soldiers and police had often used excessive forces in the past against Khmer unarmed civilians. "In the past they (Thais) had shot and killed (Khmers) and they accused them of dealing with amphetamines/drugs", he said.