Two Apsara Authority officials were arrested yesterday morning after it was discovered they were in charge of felling a centuries-old spirit tree in Siem Reap province’s Kauk Chak commune on Saturday, enraging residents who had worshipped it for years, according to the provincial governor. Provincial governor Khim Bunsong said the arrests of the two Apsara Authority officials followed an order from the prime minister.
 

“By the highly esteemed order of Samdech Techo Prime Minister [Hun Sen] of Cambodia, I ordered the police in cooperation with the prosecutor to arrest the suspects, Chhor Thanat, deputy director at the Apsara Authority’s general department of forestry, and Chev Phal, chief of the Apsara Authority’s forestry management office, to take responsibility before the law,” he posted on his Facebook page. Mr. Bunsong said the Kranhong wood, which measured 83 centimeters in diameter and eight meters in length, would be sent to the Damrey Senchey pagoda to carve into Buddha statues for the people to worship instead.
 

Information about the tree being cut down was widely shared on Facebook on Sunday and spurred rage among Facebook users, who called for legal action against the officials. About 300 villagers on the outskirts of Siem Reap City protested and called for the officials to be held accountable as they had worshipped the trees for decades.

 

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/31894/two-arrested-for-felling-spirit-tree/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 10/11

I have to wonder why the tree did not use its magical powers to prevent them from cutting it down.

29 minutes ago, loong said:

I have to wonder why the tree did not use its magical powers to prevent them from cutting it down.

for the same reason god and jesus sit by while babies get raped and killed.

2 hours ago, loong said:

I have to wonder why the tree did not use its magical powers to prevent them from cutting it down.

you don't twig it do you, you must be barking mad, bough your head in shame, it simply turned the other leaf