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The Herald, March 13, 1998

PHNOM PEΝΗ. – Three people were killed and more than 10 wounded when a playground dispute between children was settled by their fathers with a hand grenade, police and witnesses said yesterday.

Police said the dispute between the children, the origins of which were unclear, but which had been largely settled early on Wednesday, took a violent turn when their fathers returned home from work in the afternoon and began to drink after dinner.

Sao Bunna (34) a police officer, approached the father and uncle of another boy involved in the dispute with the grenade, witnesses said.

All three men were killed when the grenade exploded after a brief scuffle, according to Lok Lorn, chief of the Mean Chey district police in the southern part of Phnom Penh.

The wounded included the wives and children of the men, Lok Lorn said, adding that his investigations had concluded that the explosion was the result of a neighbourhood argument and nothing else.

In a separate incident later on Wednesday night, a soldier living the same district was killed when one of three grenades he was “playing with” exploded, Lok Lorn said. – Ziana-AFP.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• When children argue or fight, it is best for adults not to get involved because some of the issues may be very petty.
• Children need to be given room to work out their issues and adults should only be involved if issues escalate or there is a potentially dangerous situation.
• Adults are considered to be more mature than children hence their level of reasoning and their ability to restrain themselves should be beyond reproach.
• The actions of the parents in the story was inexcusable because they were very reckless and their actions cost them their lives.
• It is always important to discuss issues when one is sober and calm.