More demands for Ramadan
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Hassan Taib, the so-called leader of Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani (BRN), posted a 5-minute clip on YouTube yesterday to air the group's demands.
This is the fourth YouTube clip from the group. The first was aired on April 26, when BRN issued five demands, including the unconditional release of insurgent suspects and the revocation of all arrest warrants.
In the latest clip, Hassan said the BRN would stop insurgent operations provided:
_ Soldiers and rangers from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Army areas, as well as police officers are withdrawn from the “Patani” area, which covers the three southernmost provinces and five districts of Songkhla;
_ Soldiers and rangers must move out of villages in Patani and only stay in their camps;
_ Police and patrols need to leave the villages in Patani;
_ Muslim soldiers should be granted leave during Ramadan;
_ There should be no military attacks, raids, sieges or arrests of insurgent suspects;
_ The government is not allowed to hold any social functions or activities related to Ramadan. Also the government should impose a ban on the sale of alcohol, keep night-entertainment venues closed and promote virtue during the holy month.
Hassan called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to accept the conditions by July 3, before the month of Ramadan begins. He also demanded that the Thai Parliament approve the five demands submitted earlier or else there would be no peace dialogue.
