Cambodian police beat anti-government demonstrators yesterday after they tried to defy a ban on public demonstrations to demand a licence for an opposition television channel.

Several hundred supporters of government critic Mam Sonando protested and at least two people were injured in the resulting clash.

Local rights activist Am Sam Ath said one protester was hit in the head with a truncheon and another was punched in the eye.

Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government has refused to issue a television licence to Mam Sonando, claiming that there was no frequency available.

All existing stations are closely linked to Hun Sen, who has been in power for decades.

The government has faced frequent protests since elections in July that the opposition insists were rigged.

In January, Mam Sonando led hundreds of supporters in a similar rally outside the Ministry of Information, which was also broken up by riot police.