Attacks leave 900 students without classrooms and five police officers transferred

The arson and bomb attacks on 6 targets in Narathiwat’s Su-ngai Padi district on Sunday night May 11 caused some injuries and property damages, including two schools and a fresh market.

          But the impact from the multiple violent incidents have resulted to five district police officers being abruptly transferred out of the district allegedly for causing public panic and for causing the public to lose confidence in the police.  The arson attacks on two schools have left about 900 students without educational equipments and proper classrooms.

          The five officers axed are Pol Col Jaijongrak Kongpao, superintendent of Su-ngai Padi district police; Pol Lt-Col Montri Iamrahong, deputy superintendent for investigation; Pol Lt-Col Suthas Nooseekong, deputy superintendent for crime prevention and suppression; Pol Lt-Col Sophon Chanchote, chief inspector for suppression; and Pol Cpt Saroj Charntae, the chief inspector.  All were transferred to the Southern Border Provinces Police Operations Centre.

          Pol Lt-Gen Yongyuth Charoenvanich, commissioner of the police operations centre, said that the five police officers did not adequately respond to the violent incidents fast enough provoking widespread public criticism against their performance of duty.

          Although most schools in Narathiwat opened for the new semester on May 14,  the Islam Bamrung and Ban Kok Ta schools in Su-ngai Padi district opened five days afterward although without classrooms which were completely burnt to the ground.

          Mr Somyos Longsamut, director of Ban Kok Ta school, the school’s library, teachers’ recreational room and the front yard of the main building would be turned into classrooms for the students with tables and chairs are to be arranged.

          Seven classrooms of Ban Kok Ta school were completely burned down.  Mr Somyos said he would like a special fund being allocated by the Education Ministry for the construction of a new building to house the classrooms.

          It was reported that the Office of Basic Education Committee had set aside nine million baht for the construction of a two-storey school building in Ban Kok Ta and a three-storey building in Islam Bamrung school.

          For the time being however, some 900 students of the two schools will have to be contented with learning outside the proper classrooms until there are new school buildings.

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Caption :Ban Kok Ta schools in Su-ngai Padi district