Painful memory still remains strong among victims’s families
Tension has eased considerably in Ban Toh Sood, Village 6, Tambon Peetane, Thung Yang Daeng district of Pattani after an investigating panel has proven that the four suspected militants killed in the village were innocent people and seven rangers are to face charges of overacting.
Also, Lt-Gen Prakarn Cholasith, commander of the Fourth Army Region, formally asked for forgiveness from the families of the victims and from the local people over the mistake of his men.
Yet for the families who have lost their loved ones, it is not that easy to forget about the tragedy and to just let it go.
"At the beginning, I tried to think that my son is still alive and he just went to study at the university. But after several days, I felt like waking up from a dream and returning to reality that we have lost him forever," lamented Mrs Suraya Sameng, mother of Korlit Sameng, one of the four victims killed during a raid by security forces on March 25.
Mrs Suraya showed off a photo of Korlit as she told Isra news agency that she had lost all her strength to do anything after her son’s death.
"The photo was taken on March 19 and was the last of his that I will keep as a memory besides his promises to do everything for his parents and family. He said once he graduated from the university he would sit for an examination to become an assistant district officer to help develop his hometown. These words still echo in my ears," said Mrs Suraya.
She described Korlit as a well-disciplined young man who would normally carry with him his medication and other necessities whenever he went out. On the day he got killed he had pain killers prescribed by a doctor in his pocket.
Mr Mahama Senlae, father of Suhaimee, another victim, told Isra news agency that he was very demoralized and could not work after his son’s premature death as he fingerpointed at the pick-up truck that his son used to drive around to buy scrap paper.
Mahama that the only thing he wanted now is for the culprits to be put on trial in accordance with the law and that similar tragedy would not happen again.
Mr Walee Wanu, father of Sadam, another victim, said he felt slightly relieved that his son was declared innocent. But he said that every time he saw a paramilitary ranger his temper flared.
He said that his wife would expel the rangers whenever they came near their village.
Ban Toh Sood headman, Mr Manasae Korkor, echoed his villagers’ contempt and hatred for the black-clad rangers. "It is better that they stay away from our village because the villagers still feel painful with the incident."
One ranger told Isra news agency that they just went into the village in order to forge better understanding with the villagers but were expelled.
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Caption : The family of Korlit Sameng, one of the four victims killed during a raid by security forces on March 25.