Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) officers on February 8 destroyed a mix of almost 4,500 munitions discovered by a farmer in Trapaing Chor commune’s Chheu Teal Chrum village of Kampong Speu province’s Oral district.

Deputy district police chief Morm An told The Post that CMAC officers had destroyed the 4,449 items safely without causing any disturbance to local people.

“CMAC took these munitions for destruction. If they had not, some of them may have exploded. They posed a considerable threat to people,” he added.

According to Morm An, the district was part of a former path used by Khmer Rouge soldiers, who had even had a temporary base there. It was likely that the munitions had been left behind by the soldiers.

Commune chief Nov Norn said that on January 23, a farmer digging in a plot of land near his home found a cache containing 10 cases of AK-57 ammunition and 30 B-40 rocket propelled grenades and reported to the local police station. Most of it was corroded after having been buried for so long, but some remained in good condition. But regardless of how they looked, all remnants of war remain dangerous, Norn said.

The commune authorities passed the information to district police chief Buth Bunthoeun, who then requested assistance from CMAC to inspect the scene.

“We have educated residents of the villages in our commune about the dangers of explosive remnants of war. Since the publicity campaign, we have not have had any accidents due to landmines or unexploded ordnance,” he said.