ID :
57123
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 20:04
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/57123
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Thai army chief: Southern border region security improves
PATTANI, April 23 (TNA) – Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said on Thursday that the situation in Thailand’s southernmost insurgency-affected provinces has improved but the State of Emergency Decree is necessary to be maintained to restore peace in the area.
The Army chief made his comments during a visit to the border province of Pattani to follow up on the latest situation in the area and the implementation of security measures.
Gen. Anupong said that the situation has dramatically improved as a result of increasing cooperation between locals and the authorities. The Army chief cited the case of Pattani shooting incident early Thursday when a presumed insurgent attempted to shoot a local resident, but the assailant was wounded when the targeted victim fired back, allowing security forces to track and arrest the assailant later in the day.
Despite calls from human rights activists who claim the implementation of the State of Emergency Decree in the southernmost provinces affect the ways of life of local people, Gen. Anupong said the decree in effect remain in force in the region to restore peace and it did not restrict human rights.
“In fact, local people have not been affected by the decree. The Army has frequently evaluated the situation and its impact,” Gen. Anupong said.
As the Army chief meanwhile was in a security meeting with concerned agencies at Sirindhorn camp in Pattani’s Yarang district, a roadside bomb was detonated when a pick-up truck returning provincial paramilitary rangers from their daily security mission in Krong Pinang district passed by.
Three paramilitary rangers were wounded and were sent to Yala Hospital. (TNA)
The Army chief made his comments during a visit to the border province of Pattani to follow up on the latest situation in the area and the implementation of security measures.
Gen. Anupong said that the situation has dramatically improved as a result of increasing cooperation between locals and the authorities. The Army chief cited the case of Pattani shooting incident early Thursday when a presumed insurgent attempted to shoot a local resident, but the assailant was wounded when the targeted victim fired back, allowing security forces to track and arrest the assailant later in the day.
Despite calls from human rights activists who claim the implementation of the State of Emergency Decree in the southernmost provinces affect the ways of life of local people, Gen. Anupong said the decree in effect remain in force in the region to restore peace and it did not restrict human rights.
“In fact, local people have not been affected by the decree. The Army has frequently evaluated the situation and its impact,” Gen. Anupong said.
As the Army chief meanwhile was in a security meeting with concerned agencies at Sirindhorn camp in Pattani’s Yarang district, a roadside bomb was detonated when a pick-up truck returning provincial paramilitary rangers from their daily security mission in Krong Pinang district passed by.
Three paramilitary rangers were wounded and were sent to Yala Hospital. (TNA)
