Three leaders of protesters opposing coal-fired power plant arrested
Three leaders of the ongoing protest against the Krabi coal-fired power plant were arrested at around 9.30am today while the rest of the protesters were detained inside the Office of Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) without food or water.
Supaporn Malailoi, a representative of the protesters, told the press that the three main three leaders -- Prasitchai Nu-nuan, Akkaradej Chakchinda, and ML Rungkun Kitiyakara -- were arrested by police and taken to an unknown location.
“This is a violation of their rights. The police have to reveal where the detainees are being held. Moreover, this is not a political protest. We are fighting to preserve the environment and this is the basic right of all citizens,” Supaporn said.
She also informed that the rest of the protesters were locked down by the police inside the OPDC opposite Government House without food and water and the police had also not allowed people outside to send the besieged supporters any food supplies.
It was also said that all media reporters were kept away from the protest site since last night.
“The journalists must have access to the protest ground and the protesters inside the OPDC, and the protesters must be allowed to receive food and drinks,” Supaporn demanded.
Facebook user Hari Bantita, one of the protesters, posted on her timeline from behind the police line that three companies of riot police had showed up early in the day. They charged into the protesters and arrested the three protest leaders.
She also informed that there were arrest warrants for Banjong Nasae and Thatchapong Kaedam and the police were likely to come to capture them soon.