Security measure in South and peace process 'will be tested by raid probe'
THE SO-CALLED Thung Yang Daeng model - an integrated security measure used in the far South - will be a failure if an investigation into the fatal shooting of four people in this Pattani district last Wednesday is not transparent or officials go unpunishe
Nimu Makaje said efforts made in the peace process and understanding acquired from local residents in previous sessions of a roadshow in the region would be wasted if the probe failed to penalise wrongdoers or yielded an apology to relatives of the four victims but no compensation.
A team of security officials shot dead four people during a raid in Thung Yang Daeng district in Pattani on March 25, amid claims that they were insurgents converging in a meeting to plan future attacks. Another 22 people were arrested at the scene.
Relatives complained later that the four killed were innocents and demanded that the 22 others detained be released. An investigation into the raid and killings is due to be completed today.
Nimu is leading a series of visits organised by the government in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat under the “Thung Yang Daeng” initiative. The model has become a catchword after arson attacks on six schools in this area and Mayo district last October 12 when the military said security measures to guard against insurgent attacks would be done through integration of relevant agencies in all aspects.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said the government’s handling of violence in the deep South was more effective because it had been carried out in an integrated manner under a road map worked out under his guidelines.
