Three steps towards peace restoration in Deep South
The government has recently embarked on a three-step plan to bring about peace in the violence-prone Deep South.
The plan was adopted at a meeting of the National Security Council with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha as the chairman on January 27.
The first step which is the policy level is headed by the prime minister. It was reported that the meeting stressed the need to put an end to the violence to prepare for the country’s entry to the Asean Economic Community or AEC. The mission to restore peace and order in the Deep South has been recognized as a national agenda.
The second step is the steering level headed by General AksaraKerdphol, advisory chief of the army. This step will deal with legal, development and security affairs. The list of the panel of this level is being worked out.
The third step is the ground level headed by the forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command with the commander of the 4th army region as the point man.
General Prayut reportedly said that Malaysia, in its capacity as the facilitator, would play its part in bringing together the separatist groups to join the peace talk. He said that all factions within a group must come as one single group and the first issue for talks is a ceasefire on violence.
When all sides agree on ending the violence, the peace process can move to the next step which is the signing of a ratification to put into effect a ceasefire or cessation of violence. This will lead up to the final step – following the roadmap which covers rehabilitation of the affected people, reducing social disparity, cultures and ways of life.
The prime minister said that if there is no violence, troops will immediately be moved out of the restive region leaving behind police and defence volunteers to do their jobs.
According to the prime minister, no timeframe has been imposed on Malaysia’s role to bring together as many separatist groups as possible to join the talks.
The prime minister appears alegic to the use of the word "peace" in this talking process on the ground that no war between armies being fought here but merely criminal acts and law enforcement to deal with such acts.
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Caption : Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha
Thanks : The image from http://www.thaigov.go.th/