Law enforcement ineffective in Kampong Speu land grab case, says NGO

Civil society organisation ACNCIPO urged Kampong Speu provincial governor Vei Samnang to enforce a warrant to seize 100ha in the Oral Wildlife Sanctuary that was grabbed and restore its status as state property.

ACNCIPO head Chea Hean claimed environment officials did not implement the seizure warrant but instead conspired with perpetrators by allowing them to plant trees on the land.

But environment officials denied the accusation and said it was baseless.

Hean said on Tuesday that last year, the provincial hall and the Ministry of Environment issued a warrant to seize more than 100ha in Oral Wildlife Sanctuary in Sre Kin village, Trapaing Chor commune and restore its status after it was allegedly grabbed by Sieng Samen, Ou Samrach Chesda, Koul Vichet and other perpetrators.

To date, the authorities had not implemented the warrant and the perpetrators had taken possession of the land as a private property to plant mango, jackfruit and coconut trees.

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Khorn Savi