Pattani Police Arrest Eight Over Councillor's Murder

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa PATTANI, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Two village heads and a district chief are among eight people detained by the police in connection with the murder of a local council head. One of the suspects took investigators to a river where four firearms, believed to have been used in the murder of Piyamuang district administrative council head, Sama-e Dollah, were hidden. Speaking to reporters here Thursday, Pattani Province police chief, Major Gen Piyawat Chalermsi said the two M-16 and two AK-47 rifles, as well as ammunition were found in the riverbed by a police diving team. He said the authorities had launched a manhunt for the mastermind behind the killing of Sama-e, 64. On Feb 10, a group of masked armed men shot dead Sama-e at the Yaring district, Pattani while the councillor was in his car. The assailants escaped in a pick-up truck which was later found torched in a secluded area. According to Piyawat, the murder was believed to have been fuelled by a 'clash of personalities' and had no link to local militant activities. -- BERNAMA