Despite latest violence, no new policy from the government
It can be assumed that the absence of a single violent incident for five days in the deep South during the first half of November may be due to the fact that the Islamic militants might have taken a break before unleashing a new round of terrorist attacks rather than the fact that security forces have been successful in deterring the militants.
Three major violent incidents – two bomb attacks and one fatal shooting which left five people killed and more than 40 injured – in the course of five days from November 14-18 are indicative that the hard-core militants had carefully planned the attacks and did not waste their time while taking the break.
The fatal shooting of Abdulateh Tohdae, the imam of Ban Ubeng masjid in Tambon Patae, Yaha district of Yala on November 14 by suspected militants looked like a normal shooting which has been taking place n on a daily basis in the three restive southernmost provinces. But it was not a normal shooting at all.
Mr Abdulateh was not just an imam. He was also president of the imam group in Yaha district and a member of the provincial Islamic committee. The Muslim Lawyer Foundation said in its statement condemning the fatal shooting said the victim was instrumental in coordinating legal counseling to be provided to local Muslims.
In September, the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre named Mr Abdulateh a member of the truth committee to investigate the fatal shooting of five Muslims by government forces in Ban Sa-ae, Krong Penang district of Yala on April 19.
The killing of the imam was probably meant to send a warning to the other Muslim clerics and lay people who are working with the government that they could not be protected by the government and they were vulnerable.
On November 17, a motorcycle rigged with explosives was detonated in downtown Yala, killing one person and wounding 33 others. Interestingly, the bombing incident coincided with the last day of the ministerial conference of the Organisation of Islamic Countries in Jibuti, Africa. The government dispatched a delegation comprising representatives from the Foreign Ministry, Internal Security Operations Command and SBPAC to observe the conference.
The bombing and strafing of a train in Rueso district of Narathiwat on November 18 which killed three defence volunteers on board the train and 14 other people coincided with the arrival in Thailand for two-day visit by US President Barack Obama.
Whether or not the two bombing attacks were deliberately designed to coincide with the OIC meet and the visit of the US president remains evasive. But the incidents managed to dominate the front pages of most newspapers in Bangkok and the headline news of television broadcasts.
Despite the major violent incidents, authorities concerned and civil society groups said that situation in the deep South has gradually improved citing the low-level peace dialogue which has been taking place between officials and some militant groups and the peace forums staged by the people’s sector.
But the big question is when will the government come up with a new strategy or policy for the deep south such as a new modality of administration for the far south in order to convince the hardcore militant groups to come to the negotiating table.
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Caption : Mororcycle bomb in downtown of Yala