By Khmerization
Cambodian villagers in Bou Sra commune of Pich Yada district in Mondulkiri province have on 23th January arrested 5 Vietnamese who illegally logged inside Khmer territory, but were threatened and ordered by the Cambodian authority to relase them immediately, reports Radio Free Asia.
The story has also been reported in Deum Ampil newspaper that soldiers from Border Guard Unit 8 came and ordered them to release those Vietnamese immediately and have also threatened to kill the villagers who detained the illegal Vietnamese loggers.
RFA reported that on the morning of 13th January, 80 villagers went on patrol in the protected forest reserves in the area and saw small groups of 2-6 Vietnamese, with their machinery and bulldozers, actively cutting down trees. They detained them and immediately informed the Cambodian authority.
Mrs. Khan Channy, one of the villagers, said, immediately 4-5 soldiers from Border Guard Unit 8 came and ordered them to release the Vietnamese immediately. "The police came with us, but they just said something but did not dare to make any decision. When we detained the Vietnamese, they were the ones who took notes", she said.
Another villager, Plong Sin, said he saw a tractor and 9 Vietnamese riding on it. "I saw a tractor and the Vietnamese were riding on it, but in that area I only saw 9 of them", he said.
When contacting by phone, Mr. Yem Vanny, Mondulkiri Police Commissioner, said he is busy in a meeting. Mr. Song Chheang, Head of Mondulkiri Forestry Department, said the forest is a matter that falls under the responsibility of the Provincial Department of Environment.
Mr. Chhit Sophal, Head of Mondulkiri Forestry Department, said he went to the area and did not see anything as claimed by the villagers. "The forces from the Animal Habitat went to the area immediately, but we did not get there on time. When we got there we didn't see anything", he said.
Mr. Im Sophan, prosecutor of the Provincial Court, said he did not see anything when he got there. "They told me about it, but when I went there I did not see any people, anything at all", he said.
In the past, tribal villagers in O'Yadao district of Rattanakiri province had detained many illegal Vietnamese loggers many times, but Cambodian officials often ordered them released saying that it is for the sake of keeping and maintaining peace with Cambodia's neighbours.
The Cambodian soft measure is in contrast with Thai heavy-handed measures that see many Cambodian loggers being killed almost every week by Thai soldiers.
Cambodian villagers in Bou Sra commune of Pich Yada district in Mondulkiri province have on 23th January arrested 5 Vietnamese who illegally logged inside Khmer territory, but were threatened and ordered by the Cambodian authority to relase them immediately, reports Radio Free Asia.
The story has also been reported in Deum Ampil newspaper that soldiers from Border Guard Unit 8 came and ordered them to release those Vietnamese immediately and have also threatened to kill the villagers who detained the illegal Vietnamese loggers.
RFA reported that on the morning of 13th January, 80 villagers went on patrol in the protected forest reserves in the area and saw small groups of 2-6 Vietnamese, with their machinery and bulldozers, actively cutting down trees. They detained them and immediately informed the Cambodian authority.
Mrs. Khan Channy, one of the villagers, said, immediately 4-5 soldiers from Border Guard Unit 8 came and ordered them to release the Vietnamese immediately. "The police came with us, but they just said something but did not dare to make any decision. When we detained the Vietnamese, they were the ones who took notes", she said.
Another villager, Plong Sin, said he saw a tractor and 9 Vietnamese riding on it. "I saw a tractor and the Vietnamese were riding on it, but in that area I only saw 9 of them", he said.
When contacting by phone, Mr. Yem Vanny, Mondulkiri Police Commissioner, said he is busy in a meeting. Mr. Song Chheang, Head of Mondulkiri Forestry Department, said the forest is a matter that falls under the responsibility of the Provincial Department of Environment.
Mr. Chhit Sophal, Head of Mondulkiri Forestry Department, said he went to the area and did not see anything as claimed by the villagers. "The forces from the Animal Habitat went to the area immediately, but we did not get there on time. When we got there we didn't see anything", he said.
Mr. Im Sophan, prosecutor of the Provincial Court, said he did not see anything when he got there. "They told me about it, but when I went there I did not see any people, anything at all", he said.
In the past, tribal villagers in O'Yadao district of Rattanakiri province had detained many illegal Vietnamese loggers many times, but Cambodian officials often ordered them released saying that it is for the sake of keeping and maintaining peace with Cambodia's neighbours.
The Cambodian soft measure is in contrast with Thai heavy-handed measures that see many Cambodian loggers being killed almost every week by Thai soldiers.
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