A dispute over 5000 riel ($1.8) left five militiamen dead after a shoot-out with

soldiers on route five in Pursat province on International Human Rights Day (Dec

10).

According to a report on the incident released by the Cambodian Human Rights and

Development Association (Adhoc) Dec 20, the five were shot dead by soldiers - members

of RCAF Division 2 and stationed at Nimit -who were escorting a truck from Poipet

to Phnom Penh.

The report said the militiamen demanded 5000 riel but the soldiers were only prepared

to pay three thousand.

A quarrel ensued and ended when the soldiers opened fire killing the five instantly.

The fate of a sixth militiaman who was arrested by the soldiers remains unknown.

The Adhoc statement noted that no attempts had been made to bring the troops to justice.

"... we have not seen any measure by the Royal Government to brings the culprits

to court," the Khmer language statement read.

"They still enjoy freedom to go on creating anarchy."