Insurgents agree to suspend violence during Ramadan
The southern separatist movement on Thursday agreed to suspend its violent attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, from early July to early August.
Representatives from the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), or National Revolutionary Front, agreed to the request by the Thai authorities during the third round of peace talks between the government’s representatives and the Muslim insurgents.
The Thai side was headed by National Security Council’s secretary-general Paradorn Pattanathabutr.
Both sides issued a joint statement after completing their meeting in Kuala Lumpur that lasted about seven hours.
The Thai authorities agreed to bring the insurgents’ five-point proposal under the consideration of the government’s Policy and Strategy Committee Tackling the Deep South’s Insurgency Problem within next week. Among the proposals are release of people held in security-related cases and allowing Malaysia to act as mediator in the talks.
The next round of peace talks was scheduled for August 8 and 9, shortly after the fasting month ends on August 7.
