Romduol district authorities in Svay Rieng province have suspended unauthorised excavation activities to dredge soil from a canal in Kampong Ampil commune’s Trapeang Damrey village after reports from residents.

District governor Hem Sina told The Post that on January 18 authorities received a report from the villagers that there was an operation blocking the Kampong Ampil canal along National Road 13. They asked for immediate intervention as this activity had cut off the water in the area.

Sina said authorities then investigated the situation and found that there was case of excavation and illegal filling-in of the natural canal using machinery owned by a person identified as Hok Sokha without applying for any licence.

"At this time, we have temporarily suspended their activities and retain one excavator pending legal action. We require the landowners to bring in land documents and other relevant documents for verification at the district administration," Sina said.

"Separately, the machinery owner has been educated and instructed to apply for a proper business licence and get permission from the land owner to take out the soil from the canal within one week or the latest of 10 days to reopen the waterway,” he said.

Sokha, the owner of the excavator, told The Post that he had not applied for a business licence, claiming that the land owner, Meas Sangha, had requested or notified local authorities already.

"I am now applying for a business licence as instructed by the authorities. I will re-excavate the canal as determined by authorities after I get it," he said.

Sangha said his land had proper legal documents and that he had just spent three days fixing the canal.

"This land’s location is my land according to the legal documents. However, I will bring the documents to verify with the district administration on January 23,” he said.