Three representatives of the Khmer National Liberation Front said they were attacked yesterday morning by Daun Penh district security guards while attempting to file a letter to City Hall requesting permission to hold an anti-Vietnamese protest later this month.

Chhem Smak, a representative of the dissident group, said the trio was attempting to garner support for an October 23 strike when guards physically assaulted them.

The protest will fall on the 23rd anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements. Smuk said the protest is an effort to “demand Vietnam stop violating Cambodian territory” and retract its “distorted [version of] Kampuchea Krom history”.

City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said the incident started because the trio was “shouting for protest” but denied that the security guards had used any violence.

Smak said that the group still planned to protest but would not request permission again.