Suspects in two violent attacks arrested in Pattani
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Seven men have been arrested for their alleged involvement in two separate attacks on government forces, which killed more than 10 people and injuring scores in Pattani, said the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc)'s spokesman, Pol Maj Dittaporn S
The spokesman said four soldiers were killed in an ambush by insurgents in Mayoh district on July 28.
The second incident in which the arrested suspects were implicated took place last Friday when a car bomb exploded near a busy market in Saiburi district. Six officials were killed and about 50 people were injured in the tragic incident.
Maj Dittaporn said some of the insurgents are extremists, who have previously attacked government personnel.
The spokesman said that the 2005 emergency decree remains necessary in the deep south, adding that a review to lift its enforcement in some areas must be thoroughly discussed among the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre, the ISOC southern office and the provincial administration. The decree is in force in the three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
Some observers say the decree - officially the Executive Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation--has loopholes heightening the risk of arbitrary detention and mistreatment of detainees. Some liken it to martial law with less accountability. The decree is renewed every three months.
