PM sticks to his guns on South

'Those found guilty of breaking the law must be strictly prosecuted,' says Surayud

By Muhamad Ayub Pathan

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has insisted the government will stick to the law and take tough action against insurgents involved in killings and violence in the strife-torn deep South. Gen Surayud dismissed scepticism that his apologies to Muslim people and the government's reconciliatory approach has not helped reduce violence in the three southernmost provinces.

''Reconciliation does not mean the government would refrain from going by the law. The government must uphold the principle of justice.

''But those found guilty of breaking the law must be strictly prosecuted,'' Gen Surayud said yesterday at a downtown hotel in Pattani, the same hotel where he earlier apologised to a gathering of more than 1,000 Muslims in a move to calm feelings of resentment and bring an end to the ongoing violence.

Those found guilty must be strictly prosecuted according to the due process of law, he said while visiting the southern region yesterday.

Meanwhile, a merit-making ceremony was held at Wat Phuttaphum in downtown Yala to commemorate victims who died in violent incidents. More than 2,000 people, both locals and residents from neighbouring provinces, attended the ceremony in which alms were offered to more than 500 monks from 266 temples in four southern provinces, and food supplies and necessary items were given to police and military officers.

However, the violence continued yesterday.

Pol Sen Sgt-Maj Somkiat Yungkun, 49, was shot and wounded by suspected rebels in a market in downtown Yala. The officer sustained serious wounds and was rushed to hospital for treatment.

The assailants made away with the officer's pistol and scattered metal spikes along the road to prevent police from tracking them.

In Yala's Betong district, Kalaya Sornwian, a 21-year-old rubber farmer, was killed in a drive-by shooting. The killing was believed to have been carried out by insurgent suspects.

In Narathiwat's Tak Bai district, a man identified as Put Khamjul was attacked by a gunman on the back of a motorbike, while riding his motorcycle to a market.

Ban Batan school in Yala's Muang district was burned down on Friday. Police found a fuel-soaked rag nearby.

Bangkok Post
Sunday January 28, 2007