ID :
17448
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 09:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/17448
The shortlink copeid
Rally reportedly dispersed with tear gas
BANGKOK, Aug 29 (TNA) - Tear gas was reportedly used to disperse
anti-government protesters staging a rally outside the Metropolitan Police Headquarters in Bangkok, but police denied firing tear gas at the crowd.
Deputy Metropolitan chief Police Major-General Suphorn Pansuea told
reporters the police did not use tear gas, as has been claimed.
Over 1,000 police were deployed to guard the police headquarters, as
protestors rallied outside. Teargas was used to disperse the crowd. Some
of the injured were tended by paramedics and ambulances which were on
standby. Most of them suffered from eye irritation.
The group of anti-government protestors had marched to the Metropolitan
Police Headquarters on Friday evening, after the People's Alliance for
Democracy leaders asked authorities to turn in the police who had injured
protestors in a clash Friday morning.
The protestors rallied there to pressure the police, and allegedly
vandalised a police truck and a Channel 3 car.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej maintained his stance the
government would not use violence in handling the protesters, while
expressing anger over the disturbances which had broken out in different
provinces and included state enterprise participation.
"So how do you want our country to become? You want me to play a bad guy
hurting, killing people? I won't buy that. I was the one who ordered a
halt to the crackdown."
Earlier Friday Samak ordered police to withdraw from Government House to
avoid further confrontation after minor skirmishes broke out around the
compound.
Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said late Friday there was still no need
to implement an emergency decree to tame protesters demanding the ouster
of the six-party coalition government.
Speaking to journalists following a Defence Council meeting, Gen. Anupong
said he was worried about the current situation and did not want police to
use force against unarmed demonstrators.
Gen. Anupong said later he had advised the prime minister not to use force
against protesters.(TNA)
anti-government protesters staging a rally outside the Metropolitan Police Headquarters in Bangkok, but police denied firing tear gas at the crowd.
Deputy Metropolitan chief Police Major-General Suphorn Pansuea told
reporters the police did not use tear gas, as has been claimed.
Over 1,000 police were deployed to guard the police headquarters, as
protestors rallied outside. Teargas was used to disperse the crowd. Some
of the injured were tended by paramedics and ambulances which were on
standby. Most of them suffered from eye irritation.
The group of anti-government protestors had marched to the Metropolitan
Police Headquarters on Friday evening, after the People's Alliance for
Democracy leaders asked authorities to turn in the police who had injured
protestors in a clash Friday morning.
The protestors rallied there to pressure the police, and allegedly
vandalised a police truck and a Channel 3 car.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej maintained his stance the
government would not use violence in handling the protesters, while
expressing anger over the disturbances which had broken out in different
provinces and included state enterprise participation.
"So how do you want our country to become? You want me to play a bad guy
hurting, killing people? I won't buy that. I was the one who ordered a
halt to the crackdown."
Earlier Friday Samak ordered police to withdraw from Government House to
avoid further confrontation after minor skirmishes broke out around the
compound.
Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said late Friday there was still no need
to implement an emergency decree to tame protesters demanding the ouster
of the six-party coalition government.
Speaking to journalists following a Defence Council meeting, Gen. Anupong
said he was worried about the current situation and did not want police to
use force against unarmed demonstrators.
Gen. Anupong said later he had advised the prime minister not to use force
against protesters.(TNA)
