The National Police has suspended Kandal provincial deputy police chief Sreng Sokha after a police officer claimed he had been occupying state land in Takhmao town.

Provincial police chief Chhoeun Sochet told The Post on Thursday that Sokha’s occupation of state land was under the authority of the provincial and National Police.

“He’s had no issues other than the land case involving the Boeung Toteung Thngai land in Roka Khpos commune, Takhmao town.

“The land is about 40ha. On January 11, 2018, it was listed as state property under the management of the Kandal provincial administration. The land title was already issued [to the state],” he said.

Formerly a commune in the province’s Sa’ang district, Roka Khpos was incorporated into Takhmao town after Prime Minister Hun Sen signed a sub-decree on January 8, last year.

“In the past, Sreng Sokha went to buy land near the lake and asked for a land title. He approached the village and commune chiefs for their signatures on the already-owned lake land. So, his suspension stems from this case,” he said.

Sochet said he did not know what measures the provincial administration would take against Sokha.

Deputy National Police chief Chhay Kim Khoeun told The Post he was unaware of the suspension.

On Thursday, Nokor Dragon News reported that Sreng Sokha was ordered to appear during working hours at the staff office of the Kandal provincial police.

According to the same report, a senior Ministry of Interior official stressed that the National Police could remove Sokha from his position and bar him from working for the state in the future.

It also said that Sokha had used his role as provincial deputy police chief to pressure local authorities to sign the land over to him.

Last month, provincial governor Kong Sophorn told The Post that he had been investigating land encroachment cases in Takhmao town.

He said he would not allow state land to be violated and would take legal action against such crimes.