2 rangers arrested over murder of 3 boys
Two paramilitary rangers were arrested for the murders of three young boys in Narathiwat's Bacho district on February 3. A hunt is on for the third suspect.
Provincial governor Natthapong Sirichana told the press yesterday that the rangers Maming Binmama, 21, and Sakeura Jehseh, 25, confessed after their arrest on Saturday that they had joined a third person to launch an attack against the family of Jehmu Maman, which led to the three boys getting killed and Jehmu and his wife getting injured. Maming said the attack stemmed from a personal conflict, because he believes Jehmu shot dead his elder brother and wife on August 24, 2013.
Meanwhile, the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command insisted the murder of imam Kori Doloh in Narathiwat’s Yi-ngor district on Sunday stemmed from an attempt to create an atmosphere of violence in the restive region and put the blame on state officials.
After the 62-year-old imam of Kuyi mosque in tambon Tapoyo, was shot dead in an attack that also severely injured his son Aris, 17, forward command spokesman Colonel Pramote Phrom-in yesterday offered condolences to the family.
Pramote said Kori had been cooperating with the authorities in an attempt to solve conflicts in the area, especially with anti-drug projects.
He said the killers wore clothing similar to that of state officers to confuse the public, create misunderstanding and instigate conflicts among people of different faiths.
As a result, forward command deputy chief Maj-General Charin Amornkaew instructed relevant agencies to beef up security in the region, especially at symbolic targets, and speedily investigate violent incidents so the culprits could be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, two men on a motorbike threw an M26 grenade at a noodle shop opposite Phadung Pracha School in Yala’s Muang district at about 8.20am yesterday.
It did not explode.
A leaflet was found near the scene claiming the attack was to punish Thai authorities “for letting Bannang Sata territorial defence volunteer Adulhakim Darasae harass people of Bannang Kuware village”.
The police probe is focusing on the operative insurgent group led by Roseh Jarong.
Adulhakim was among the four people injured in a February 16 roadsidebomb attack while travelling in a car after reportedly aiding a mosque event.
In Pattani’s Thung Yang Daeng district yesterday, rubber tapper Sulaiman Hatama was shot dead and his wife Pattama Yusoh wounded after two gunmen approached them at a rubber plantation at about 6.30am and opened fire.