KAMPONG CHHNANG: Two police officials have been detained for questioning in Kampong Chhnang province in relation to the alleged Tonle Sap land invasion. The Anti-Corruption United has arrested the Deputy Provincial Commissioner and the and Director of the Intervention and Order Office of the Provincial Police on Thursday. The two will undergo legal proceedings in connection with a case of encroachment on three flooded areas in Kampong Chhnang province.

Two senior police officers in Kampong Chhnang province are being questioned by Anti-corruption Unit for the illegal encroachment of flooded forest land in Tone Sap Lake. The Anti-Corruption Unit has arrested Deputy Provincial Commissioner Sou Socheat, and Director of the Intervention and Order Office of the Provincial Police Keo Narun. They will undego legal proceedings after being summoned for questioning on Thursday morning.

The pair were summoned to the ACU headquarters in Phnom Penh to answer serious allegations as to the illegally harvesting of wood from the protected area. Tonle Sap lake’s surrounding forest has been looted for its rich natural resources in recent years with devasting consequences.

According to a report from Kampong Chhnang province, Su Socheat invaded 672 hectares of Tonle Sap flooded forest and Keo Narun invaded 32 hectares of Tonle Sap flooded forest. Both of them were among 13 people the Kampong Chhnang provincial administration found to have encroached on the Tonle Sap Lake.

Only last month Prime Minister Hun Sen instructed Land Management Minister Chea Sophara, National Military Police Chief General Sao Sokha, and provincial governors to suppress flooded forest land encroachment surrounding Tonle Sap Lake to ensure the land is properly protected.