Rebel warrants to be revoked

Up to 1,357 summonses stand to be dropped

Local security agencies are revoking arrest warrants for suspected insurgents in the deep South on a case-by-case basis.

Pattani Special Taskforce deputy chief Somchai Pengkrut yesterday said security agencies working in the deep South had discussed with provincial courts the possibility of revoking arrest warrants for some of the 1,357 suspected insurgents facing charges.

Authorities agreed to do so on a case-by-case basis as a way to ensure justice and to help with peace initiatives for the region, he said.

Local administration leaders and Islamic leaders will take part in deciding which suspects will have their warrants revoked, Col Somchai said.

Hassan Taib (left), leader of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) delegation to peace talks, and ideologue Abdulkarim Khalib have made a number of demands, including cancellation of arrest warrants. (Bangkok Post from YouTube video)

The Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) had demanded that Thai authorities release all prisoners convicted in connection to the southern unrest and scrap arrest warrants issued for suspected militants during the first round of formal peace talks in Kuala Lumpur.

The authorities have not disclosed the criteria they will use in considering which warrants would be revoked.

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, chief adviser to the House committee on military affairs, voiced his support for the peace talks as a way to tackle the southern violence. However, he believes the insurgents will stage more violent attacks to strengthen the BRN's negotiating position.

He said the government should check the backgrounds of all BRN representatives as this might be helpful in framing a suitable approach to the peace talks.

National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut said the insurgents are staging violent attacks to increase their bargaining power.

He said security agencies must continue to carry out their operations in parallel with the peace talks.

Security was beefed up at all schools in the deep South as the new term began yesterday, with combined forces of soldiers, police and village defence volunteers ensuring the safety of students and teachers.

No incidents were reported as many students, accompanied by their parents, appeared to return to school cheerfully.

Abdulroman Yamor, acting director of Ban Limud School in Yala's Muang district, said teachers and students felt safe as security officers patrolled the roads leading to their school.

In Narathiwat, all 379 schools in the province's three educational zones re-opened yesterday amid tight security.

Somjet Srihiran, a teacher at Ban Lubor Luechong School in Sungai Kolok district, said many of his colleagues were satisfied with the increased security at the start of the new school term yesterday.

He believed the tight security measures helped boost the morale of teachers.

In Pattani, many schools were under heavy security surveillance and security officers searched suspect vehicles.

Pattani governor Pramuk Lamul yesterday expressed satisfaction with the extra security at most schools.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/350429/government-to-cancel-southern-arrest-warrants