The driver told Mr Veera that he was just a hired hand, and knew nothing about the legality or otherwise of digging up the plot, a small one of just over a quarter of a rai in what officials say is a protected forest area.
The man was taken to Kathu District office where his details were taken down and he was questioned about the identity of the purported “owner” of the land, before he was passed on to the Kathu Police.