ID :
166259
Mon, 03/07/2011 - 10:22
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http://m.oananews.org//node/166259
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Thailand's Muslim chief concerned over violence in southern border region

BANGKOK, March 7 (TNA) - Chula Ratchamontri, the Muslim spiritual leader in Thailand, said on Monday (March 7) that he is concerned over violence in the country's southern border region, expressing his sorrow to affected people and their losses.
Chula Ratchamontri Aziz Phitakkumpon told reporters after leading executive members of a southern border provinces committee to meet Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House in Bangkok for about 45 minutes that he has expressed the concern as it has caused disunity among local people and has asked the prime minister to assure that laws will be in line with Islamic rules.
The Chula Ratchamontri admitted that violence normally emerges in Thailand's far South during first months of every year, urging authorities concerned to proceed with solutions so that they will be successful no matter how long it will take. The Chula Ratchamontri insisted, however, that solutions to Thailand's troubled southernmost region should be free of violence, and that any religion or religious leader should not be blamed for causing violence in the region; while local people should be aware that some parties were distorting religious teachings.
Meanwhile, Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that violence had emerged in southern border provinces because authorities were intensifying security operations--which had prompted retaliations--and said the work of authorities was difficult because they wore uniforms while suspected insurgents were with villagers, making it difficult to distinguish the good from the bad.
However, General Prayuth acknowledged that intensified security operations over the past few months had resulted in the arrest and seizure of many insurgents and weapons. The Thai army chief quoted intelligence reports that suspected insurgents were intending to attack security authorities and other vulnerable targets, namely Buddhist monks, teachers and people at schools; so, state security measures will be stepped up to protect them. (TNA)
Chula Ratchamontri Aziz Phitakkumpon told reporters after leading executive members of a southern border provinces committee to meet Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House in Bangkok for about 45 minutes that he has expressed the concern as it has caused disunity among local people and has asked the prime minister to assure that laws will be in line with Islamic rules.
The Chula Ratchamontri admitted that violence normally emerges in Thailand's far South during first months of every year, urging authorities concerned to proceed with solutions so that they will be successful no matter how long it will take. The Chula Ratchamontri insisted, however, that solutions to Thailand's troubled southernmost region should be free of violence, and that any religion or religious leader should not be blamed for causing violence in the region; while local people should be aware that some parties were distorting religious teachings.
Meanwhile, Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that violence had emerged in southern border provinces because authorities were intensifying security operations--which had prompted retaliations--and said the work of authorities was difficult because they wore uniforms while suspected insurgents were with villagers, making it difficult to distinguish the good from the bad.
However, General Prayuth acknowledged that intensified security operations over the past few months had resulted in the arrest and seizure of many insurgents and weapons. The Thai army chief quoted intelligence reports that suspected insurgents were intending to attack security authorities and other vulnerable targets, namely Buddhist monks, teachers and people at schools; so, state security measures will be stepped up to protect them. (TNA)