ID :
112945
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 18:57
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http://m.oananews.org//node/112945
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Some groups of officials to be allowed to carry arms
BANGKOK, March 22 (TNA) – Officials deployed in some key areas will be armed to prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting violence during the ongoing Red Shirt demonstration, according to Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO).
Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, CAPO met Monday and acted to issue arms to some groups of security personnel and other officials.
CAPO approved allowing personnel guarding army barracks and government offices, as well as those manning checkpoints and in patrol units to be armed after having been banned earlier from carrying weapons, except batons and shields, the spokesman said.
After some grenade attacks in the past week--including the rocket-propelled grenade incident at the Ministry of Defense, CAPO is concerned about safety of protesters and innocent people. Officials’ operation must be adjusted to allow personnel to carry arms as ill-intentioned people may incite violence and put the blame on officials.
Higher ranking officials leading groups assigned to checkpoints and patrol units will also be equipped with weapons for self defense and must be in uniform with all military service identification insignia and name badges.
However, military, police and other security personnel assigned near the protest sites are not allowed to carry arms, but can only equipped with riot control gear--helmets, batons and shields.
Meanwhile, key Red Shirt figure Weng Tojirakarn announced on stage that he feels satisfied over assurances that the army will not use weapons to attack the protesters.
His announcement followed his attempt to lead UDD volunteers to inspect army checkpoints around the protest site to determine whether or not weapons are stored.
UDD Red Shirt representatives were not allowed to enter the area, but top officials affirmed there were no military weapons kept at checkpoints.
In related developments, key UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan reasserted that the Red Shirt leaders will negotiate with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva only on the condition of the House dissolution in order to end the political deadlock. (TNA)
Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, CAPO met Monday and acted to issue arms to some groups of security personnel and other officials.
CAPO approved allowing personnel guarding army barracks and government offices, as well as those manning checkpoints and in patrol units to be armed after having been banned earlier from carrying weapons, except batons and shields, the spokesman said.
After some grenade attacks in the past week--including the rocket-propelled grenade incident at the Ministry of Defense, CAPO is concerned about safety of protesters and innocent people. Officials’ operation must be adjusted to allow personnel to carry arms as ill-intentioned people may incite violence and put the blame on officials.
Higher ranking officials leading groups assigned to checkpoints and patrol units will also be equipped with weapons for self defense and must be in uniform with all military service identification insignia and name badges.
However, military, police and other security personnel assigned near the protest sites are not allowed to carry arms, but can only equipped with riot control gear--helmets, batons and shields.
Meanwhile, key Red Shirt figure Weng Tojirakarn announced on stage that he feels satisfied over assurances that the army will not use weapons to attack the protesters.
His announcement followed his attempt to lead UDD volunteers to inspect army checkpoints around the protest site to determine whether or not weapons are stored.
UDD Red Shirt representatives were not allowed to enter the area, but top officials affirmed there were no military weapons kept at checkpoints.
In related developments, key UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan reasserted that the Red Shirt leaders will negotiate with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva only on the condition of the House dissolution in order to end the political deadlock. (TNA)
