ID :
12126
Fri, 07/11/2008 - 11:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/12126
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Army chief heads south to build confidence in face of violence
BANGKOK, July 11 (TNA) – Pre-emptive arrest is likely to increasingly play a key role in Thailand's insurgency-affected southern border provinces, Army Chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said before leaving Bangkok to visiting the region to build confidence among teachers and students.
National and local authorities are attempting to improve security and at atmosphere of safety among school populations, administrators and students alike, who don't feel safe any more.
Before leaving Bangkok for the South on Thursday morning, Gen. Anupong pleaded for the safety of students and teachers after a military truck carrying schoolchildren was ambushed days ago in Pattani. Two rangers werekilled and three students were wounded.
Speaking about troop reinforcements in Pattani, Gen. Anupong said that no additional rangers have been moved to the province so far. He said thepremier agreed with ranger reinforcement but it will take time.
He said local people cooperated well with officials, so suspected insurgents try to incite fear among villagers. Police and military coordinate well and worked together to investigate and arrest suspected orpresumed insurgents.
"We want officials to arrest presumed insurgents before they launch an attack (in order) to save lives, Gen. Anupong said. "It may be difficultbut we have to stop the attacks.
"It may take some time but I'll try to make it as fast as possible," Gen.
Anupong said.
School teachers and security forces are a primary target of frequent insurgent attacks in the Muslim-majority southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat where insurgency movement has been carrying out acts of violence since January 2004, killing more than 3,000 people.(TNA)
National and local authorities are attempting to improve security and at atmosphere of safety among school populations, administrators and students alike, who don't feel safe any more.
Before leaving Bangkok for the South on Thursday morning, Gen. Anupong pleaded for the safety of students and teachers after a military truck carrying schoolchildren was ambushed days ago in Pattani. Two rangers werekilled and three students were wounded.
Speaking about troop reinforcements in Pattani, Gen. Anupong said that no additional rangers have been moved to the province so far. He said thepremier agreed with ranger reinforcement but it will take time.
He said local people cooperated well with officials, so suspected insurgents try to incite fear among villagers. Police and military coordinate well and worked together to investigate and arrest suspected orpresumed insurgents.
"We want officials to arrest presumed insurgents before they launch an attack (in order) to save lives, Gen. Anupong said. "It may be difficultbut we have to stop the attacks.
"It may take some time but I'll try to make it as fast as possible," Gen.
Anupong said.
School teachers and security forces are a primary target of frequent insurgent attacks in the Muslim-majority southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat where insurgency movement has been carrying out acts of violence since January 2004, killing more than 3,000 people.(TNA)
