Violence surges ahead of the end of the Ramadan
Violence in the restive Deep South has escalated as the fasting month of Ramadan is about to come to an end in mid-July.
Security officials explained that the surge in violence which started on July 8 might have stemmed from the belief held by some hard-core militant groups that they would be blessed if they committed offences during the last 10 days of the Ramadan.
These hard-core militant groups, said the officials, have rejected peace talks with the government. This was clearly evident in the banners they put up in Nong Chik district of Pattani on July 8.
But well-informed sources from the explosives ordnance disposal said that criminal gangs involved in illegal businesses in Sadao district of Songkhla and Su-ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat might be responsible for some of the violent incidents that took place during the Ramadan.
It was pointed out that violence in Padang Besar which is in Sadao district had, of late, surged despite the fact that the area was regarded as relatively calm and it was not placed under emergency law.
Sadao district is an important border town with enormous amount of two-way trade with Malaysia. Cross-border smuggling of contraband goods is also touted as a big business in Sadao.
Forensic investigation has confirmed that last week’s bomb explosions in Su-ngai Kolok and Padang Besar are connected although it is yet to be verified that the black business was responsible for the blasts or not.
Since July 8, there have been 28 violent incidents resulting to 14 deaths and 19 injured.
The surge in violence, it was pointed out, may be an indicator that the claim by the government that the situation in the Deep South has improved is true or not. Also, it may indicate whether the peace talks with six separatist groups will proceed or will collapse?
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Caption : Violence in Su-ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat