Government Probes 2,000 Hectare Land Grab
Government officials in Kompong Thom province said yesterday that they are investigating the ownership of more than 2,000 hectares of land currently being held by an unknown number of individuals who are suspected of illegal land grabbing. An Agriculture Ministry official pointed the finger of blame at the province’s governor for allowing the alleged land grab to take place. The investigation comes by order of Minister of Agriculture Chan Sarun, who issued a letter last month ordering authorities in the province to investigate the ownership of land in 12 areas and return the plots to the state if they are being held illegally, deputy provincial governor Uch Sam On said. … The illlegally occupied land is located in several districts including Satuk and Prasat Sambo and is slated for a number of agro-projects, including rubber plantations and cassava fields, Mr. Sam On said, adding that he did not know who had occupied the land. …
