Forty-five families in Oddar Meanchey province’s Lumtong commune appealed to the Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Chea Sophara on Wednesday to help get back 2,400 square metres of land they claim was grabbed by a senior military official.

O’Korki Kandal deputy village chief Horn Phoeun claims the parcel used to be collectively owned and used for weddings or parties until General Neang Khim built a fence around it last year.

Lumtong commune chief Chuon Ras confirmed that the land had been public property and reserved for gardens.

However, he wasn’t sure why Khim came and laid claim to it.