Sesan district police on Monday handed over 39 home-made rifles to the Stung Treng provincial police to be stored after they were collected from locals.

District police chief Tes Phealep said citizens in the district handed over their guns following the safe village-commune policy.

Phealep said: “I’m very happy to see our citizens stay aware and take these weapons to our police to keep them for further legal proceedings. The 39 riffles include an AK-44 rifle, two AK-47 assault rifles, a CKC rifle and home-made weapons.”

Many rare wild animals have been shot and killed by home-made rifles in wildlife sanctuaries in Cambodia.

On July 17, environment rangers caught two animal poachers hunting wild animals in Veun Sai-Siem Pang National Park in Ratanakkiri province’s Veun Sai district.

The Ministry of Environment announced that during the crackdowns, police seized two dead red muntjacs, a stag, two home-made rifles, a small packet of gunpowder and a small box of pellets.

The three animals were burnt at the scene, while the two rifles and the ammunition were kept temporarily at the provincial Department of Environment.

The rangers built a case around two suspects who were referred to the court for legal proceedings.