Angkhana laments end of peace group
Written by Writer on Monday, October 27th, 2008
FAR SOUTH
Angkhana laments end of peace group
WAEDAO HARAI
The Working Group on Justice for Peace has expressed disappointment over the recent dissolution of the Peaceful Strategy Committee (PSC), saying the decision points to the end of peaceful means to end the unrest in the far South. In a statement issued yesterday, group chairwoman Angkhana Neelaphaijit referred to the Oct 21 cabinet resolution revoking the National Security Council’s (NSC) establishment of the committee. The committee, set up in 2001 and headed by retired NSC deputy secretary-general Pichai Rattanapol with social critic Prawase Wasi as senior adviser, had been praised for its efforts to use peaceful ways to end the southern violence, she said.
The cabinet decided to set up a new committee to replace the PSC.
The new body, to be chaired by the NSC secretary-general, comprises representatives of concerned agencies and academics. It has the job of monitoring the situation in the deep South, conducting research on peaceful conflict resolutions and acting as adviser to the government in handling the southern problem by peaceful means.
However, the peace advocacy group says the PSC’s dissolution was like shutting the door on peaceful solutions and the start of authorities abusing their power. Mrs Angkhana called on Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to stick to peaceful means to end the southern problem, adapt its suggestions and give the National Human Rights Commission, human rights activists and the United Nations access.
In Narathiwat yesterday a trader was shot dead in Sungai Kolok district and a security team was ambushed in Bacho district.
Muhammad Joni, 31, was on his way home when a car pulled alongside his vehicle and a passenger shot him three times in the chest. He was pronounced dead at hospital.
Early yesterday, a bomb went off next to a military patrol vehicle. The driver lost control and it plunged off the road. The eight men in the team were then ambushed by insurgents armed with AK47 and M16 rifles.
After a brief exchange of gunfire, the attackers fled. All the members of the team were rushed to hospital where they were treated for chest pains and ringing ears.
A bomb was hurled into a karaoke shop in Khok Pho district of Pattani on Saturday. The attack was believed to be retaliation for the recent killing of suspected insurgent leaders Masugri Arung and Ariya Sarai in the province.
Bangkok Post
Monday October 27, 2008
