Samlaut district of Battambang province was believed to be one of the cradles of revolutionary sentiment inspired by a mass protest in mid-1960s. Some KR leaders, especially Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, were allegedly behind it. However, both Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan denied the allegation at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).[1] It was Duch, who resented at Samlaut crackdown and then sent a group of his students to stage a protest in Kampong Cham province.[2] During the DK rule, history of this province, in general, related to the second evacuation plan. It was one of the last stops of many evacuees in 1977-78 from various provinces, especially "April 17" or "New" people. The people from Eastern Zone were being forced and transported by train during the late 1978. They were ordered to wear blue scarves and assigned to enter cooperative works. Many lost their lives because of starvation and execution, while others, mainly Easterners, were targeted because of their alleged betrayal of the revolution. Nineteen crime sites were located by DC-Cam's mapping team in 1997 and 1998, while the PA team interviewed 101 people including former KR cadres. However, Samlaut district remains a preferable place to live for many former KR members such as Kaing Gueck Eav alias Duch, who was sentenced to life for directing Tuol Sleng prison or S-21. According to a DC-Cam's report by Anne Heindel in August 2010, it represents a large Christian community.[3] Inspired by the historical scenarios, the public village forum will focus specifically on the complete prohibition of religion although its constitution allowed the practice of religions, except reactionary ones.
[2] [3] http://www.d.dccam.org/Projects/Living_Doc/pdf/Duch_Verdict_Screening_in_Pailin_and_Samlot.pdf