Another two acres belonging to four people in Debsi, Chang gewog are yet to be validated

Land: The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), which is still investigating the Thimphu land case involving former Chang gup, Naku, has issued two more freeze notices on land belonging to six individuals on February 6.

This brings the total size of land frozen to 18.98 acres belonging to 24 people since ACC began investigation on the alleged land corruption in mid October last year.

On February 6, ACC issued freeze notices on 39 decimals of dry land in Gamchi, belonging to Gembo Tshering, which the ACC suspected to have been acquired or transferred illegally.

The commission also issued notice on five plots belonging to six individuals in Semtokha.   The individual plots, which cannot be transacted, include a 74-decimal land belonging to Sonam, a 13 decimals of Tshewang Pemo, another 13 decimals land belonging to Tashi Norbu and Namgay Dema, 10 decimals belonging to Pasang Lhamo, and a 9 decimals belonging to Wangdi alias Tshering Wangdue.

The freeze notice stated that these plots originated from thram number 365 belonging to Namgay.

ACC also issued a general public notification on February 6 cautioning individuals, institutions or any business entities to refrain from entering into any transactions on wetland belonging to four individuals in Debsi, Chang gewog.

ACC stated that the two acres of wetland, which include a 26-decimal land belonging to Lam Dampa Minjur, 73 decimals belonging to Bakhum, 26 decimals belonging to Phurpa Dema, and 75 decimals belonging to Choning Dorji, fall within the purview of ongoing investigation Thimphu land case.

ACC officials said that these plots were huge and certain portions of land were suspected to have illegally transacted. “It would take some time for ACC to ascertain. Therefore, the commissions cautions general public to refrain from entering into any transactions,” an ACC official said.

In November last year, ACC had frozen 17.297 acres of land belonging to 18 landowners, including the former Chang gup, Naku, the former director of land record, Tshewang Gyeltshen, and the legal head of National Land Commission, Karma Jamtsho.  Among the landowners, the largest size of land belongs to Choden with 3.15 acres of dry land.

By Rinzin Wangchuk

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