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Minister mustprotect innocent people in South

Baan Muang Editorial _ Public expectations were high when Aree Wongaraya was appointed interior minister in the interim Surayud government. As a Muslim, he should be able to talk peace with people in the troubled deep South, who are mostly Muslim.

Actually, the Thai public are not too concerned about the religion of the person in charge of the Interior Ministry, as long as he is competent and has the best interests of the country at heart.

Mr Aree's appointment was strongly supported by the public from the beginning. However, people became worried when Buddhists in the deep South were terrorised by separatist insurgents. Some of them fled their homes to live in temples for their own safety.

The separatists are using religion to alienate the Thai Buddhists from the majority Muslim population in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. This tactic must be condemned. Thai people have freedom of religion. The Thai government treats everyone equally regardless of their religion or race.

The Interior Ministry is responsible for maintaining peace and security in the country. It must help all people in trouble without discrimination.

Religion should keep people together. It should help unite the people and keep them away from sinful actions. Those who stray into the wrong path must be brought back to the right one.

Those committing acts of terror want to reclaim the land that once belonged to their Malay Muslim ancestors. They are using brutal acts to force southern Thai Buddhists to abandon their land and their homes. This is a grave challenge to the interior minister, who must protect innocent people from harm.

Bangkok Post

Last Updated : Tuesday April 10, 2007