EVICTEES from the Dey Krahorm community in central Phnom Penh staged a second set of protests Sunday outside Prime Minister Hun Sen's house in Takhmao, demanding compensation for the destruction of their homes.

About 40 ex-Dey Krahorm families, most of whom are now living on the street or in pagodas, lamented the January 24 eviction that saw their houses flattened by teams of hired hands from developer 7NG.

Lim Leang Se, Hun Sen's deputy Cabinet chief, said by phone Sunday that he would call a meeting Tuesday over the issue.

"We will try to help them on Tuesday [February 11] by asking the municipality and 7NG officials to meet [evictees] at the 7NG office at Dey Krahorm," he said. "Families are unsure whether they are receiving a house [as compensation]. We will help them check whether they have their name on the list," he said.

He added, however, that any demands for cash would have to wait.

Originally housing between 800 and 1,400 families, the Dey Krahorm community had shrunk as residents accepted compensation offers and relocated. A final offer of US$20,000 was made, ensuring all but an estimated 90 families had left before the eviction. The developer terminated that last offer three days before the eviction. The company then offered the hold out families a house at a relocation site 16 kilometres outside the city, but many evictees say they would prefer cash to living so far away.