POIPET RESIDENTS DODGE LAND MINE

Residents in Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet town are breathing a sigh of relief after a land mine disguised as rubbish was destroyed by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre. An unidentified man drove up to the front of a medical clinic and placed the K58 mine along with bags of rubbish, a witness said yesterday. The ploy fooled the witness, but luckily the mine raised the suspicions of one of the clinic’s cleaners, who promptly informed police. Residents speculated that the man was acting on behalf of a rival business owner who was jealous of the clinic’s success. Police investigations are ongoing.

RASMEY KAMPUCHEA

COP A CASUALTY IN GANGSTER BUST-UP

A 23-year-old policeman was killed trying to break up an argument between drunken gangsters in Pech Chreada district, Mondulkiri province on Tuesday, according to police. The policeman allegedly intervened when an argument between the gangsters, who had been drinking heavily, flared out of control. Witnesses said the gangsters were routinely causing trouble, and that the man died for his good intentions.

KOH SANTEPHEAP

GAMBLING ADDICTS SPIKE IN CAPITAL

Residents in Phnom Penh’s O’Russey commune have complained about a spike in gambling addicts after an illegal casino allegedly continued operating in defiance of police orders to shut down. They linked the casino to a rise in unemployment, theft and security threats, expressing concern about its impact on the morality of their community. Police vowed to investigate the complaint and confirmed they had shut the casino down.

DEUM AMPIL

TWINS TARGETED IN BITING ATTACK

A pair of twin brothers were seriously injured when a group of five gang members allegedly drove up to them on motorbikes and bit them on the face and mouth in Tuol Kork district, Phnom Penh. Witnesses say the students from Santhor Muk High School, Lun Dara and Lun Darith, were reportedly minding their own business when the gang members from their school launched the unprovoked attack. Police apprehended the group and sent them to court after witnesses passed on details of their addresses.

DEUM AMPIL