Former Tien Lang officials indicted over land eviction The trial of five former officials accused of destroying property, irresponsibility and causing serious consequences, began yesterday at the Hai Phong City People's Court. - VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan HAI PHONG (VNS)- The trial of four former officials responsible for destroying farmers' properties in last year's land dispute in Hai Phong's Tien Lang District began yesterday. Once deputy chairman of the Tien Lang District People's Committee, Nguyen Van Khanh now faces charges of "destroying citizens' property, showing irresponsibility and causing serious consequences". Standing trial alongside him are former head of the district Natural Resources and Environment Office Pham Xuan Hoa, former chairman of the Vinh Quang communal People's Committee Le Thanh Liem, and former secretary of the Vinh Quang commune's Party Committee Pham Dang Hoan. On November 24, 2011, the Tien Lang District People's Committee issued Plan No104/KH-UBND to implement an earlier decision to take back 19.3 hectares of aquatic farmland from Doan Van Vuon and his family. Khanh was appointed to be head; Hoa, deputy head; and others, members of the eviction board. However, these officials did not strictly observe the mentioned decision and plan. On January 5, 2012, Khanh ordered Hoa, Liem and Hoan to dismantle Vuon's house along with the house of his younger brother, Doan Van Quy. As the farmers did not give up their land, the dispute lasted for two days and resulted in a property loss of over VND295 million (US$14,000). Former Chairman of the Tien Lang District People's Committee Le Van Hien was also accused of irresponsibility as he did not take immediate measures to prevent the defendants' offences, damaging households' properties and causing serious consequences. - VNS