44 Yala schools reopen after school director killing

YALA, July 7 (TNA) - Forty-four of 55 schools in Yala's Raman district
reopened Monday after having temporarily suspended classes since last week following the insurgent shooting death last Wednesday of a school
director, according to a senior provincial education official.

Yala Education Office director Atthasit Rattanaklaew said security has
been tightened to prevent further untoward incidents. Soldiers are on
patrol duty on all routes leading to and from schools, and parents have been seen bringing their children to classes.

Mr. Atthasit said 11 schools in the same district will not reopen Monday,
but on Wednesday due to concerns over teachers and pupils' safety
following a shooting incident between security forces and suspected
insurgents near two schools.

Banmahae School director Weera Muanchan was gunned down on Wednesday as he
returned home in Yala's Raman district.

His funeral rite will be held Tuesday.

Police investigation indicated that a suspected assailant is a key member
of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) insurgent group. An arrest warrant had
been issued for the suspect in connection with earlier insurgent attacks.

School teachers are a primary target of frequent insurgent attacks in the
Muslim-majority southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat
where an ethnic and culturally-based insurgent movement has been carrying
out acts of violence since January 2004. (TNA)