The Killing Fields

Khmer Rouge, the rogues, the heinous bunch of radicals who destroyed Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. The genocide resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people from starvation, disease, overwork and execution (Total population of around 7 million). The Killing Fields were a number of sites where large numbers of people were killed and buried.

The executed were buried in mass graves. In order to save ammunition, the executions were often carried out using hammers, axe, spades or bamboo sticks. Some victims were required to dig their own graves. The soldiers who carried out the executions were mostly young men or women from peasant families. (Brainwashed into killing even own flesh and blood)

They arrested and killed everyone suspected of connections with the former government or with foreign governments, as well as professionals and intellectuals. Meaning if we were to live there and then, we won't be here blogging and reading! Crazy, make no sense.

Why am I so worked up? Like you and me, it happened long time ago, not in my backyard, so could not be bothered until I had the chance to step foot there. Stories from the locals, the guides, museum visit, it seemed every household had at least a fatality! Crazy, make no sense.

In today's news, 1 of the leaders was being tried. Many had died without facing justice. This is not the point. The point is this type of genocide should not be repeated but alas, we had seen many copycats such as witnessed in Bosnia, Rwanda, Acheh etc. Just hope that's the end!

The 1984 film adaption "The Killing Field" won 3 Oscars! Check it out.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/2/apworld/20080702125904&sec=apworld

top pic - stupa housing skeletons, on The Killing Field

bottom pic - outside the Genocide Museum (former school converted as torture centre - now d museum) after the tour - looked very shaken in my beloved LFC away jersey.