2 men killed in clashes linked to deep South
Play
Victims in Narathiwat allegedly had weapons stolen from army base in 2011
Evidence strongly suggests that two men killed in clashes with security officials in Narathiwat early yesterday were linked to the current spate of violence in the deep South, security forces said.
Usman Waekaji, 24, and Muhammad Zapae-ing Waekaji, 27, who died at the scene in Rusoh district, were found to be in possession of two M16 machine-guns that were stolen from an Army base on January 19, 2011.
The Forward Command of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 yesterday held a press conference to express condolences to the families of the suspects and to release details about their cases.
“We received a report that some suspected insurgents had arrived in Rusoh district to plan bomb attacks against state officials and other people during the Hari Raya Festival,” command spokesman Colonel Pramote Prom-in said. “We therefore dispatched a team to arrest them, but clashes erupted.”
Muhammad Zapae-ing was allegedly a suspect on the run. He was arrested for a 2008 bomb attack and was later freed on conditional release, but jumped bail.
Pramote said his agency would enforce measures to protect the lives and property of people.
“We will use legal measures in bringing the culprits to justice.”
The number of violent attacks in the deep South during Ramadan, which ran from July 10 to August 8, rose by 10 per cent compared with the same period last year. Casualties, however, dropped by 34 per cent.
Pramote also said those perpetrating violence were now clearly bent on targeting state officials.
On Thursday, soldiers arrested three suspects for putting up a banner attacking state officials.
In a bid to end unrest in the deep South, Thai authorities this year started peace negotiations with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN). Their next round of talks is scheduled to take place on August 18.
However, word has spread that Hassan Taib – who represents the BRN in peace talks with the Thai government – is withdrawing from the negotiations.
National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut yesterday said Thailand had not received any official notifications of Hassan’s withdrawal.
Paradorn also explained that it would not be unusual if the BRN decided to change its representative in peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Thailand would contact the facilitator to push ahead with the peace dialogue.
She added that she supported the current dialogue for the sake of continuity.
