Southern stand-off
The authorities yesterday released 12 of 24 suspected militants but failed to end demonstrations in Yala's Bannang Sata and Than To districts, as Muslims call for the release of all suspects.
Hundreds of locals, mostly women and children, have blocked the road between downtown Yala and the border district of Betong since last week to pressure authorities to free suspects detained in connection with violence.Around 500 Muslims in Than To and a further 200 in Bannang Sata also called for the military to leave the area and for emergency law to be abolished. The rally has been a cat and mouse game every day since last week, with protesters moving away when officials move in and gathering when they leave. The road blockade has caused difficulties for local residents in the Bannang Sata, Than To and Krong Pinang districts as it is a major road link in the province. Army chief Sonthi Boon-yaratglin said in Bangkok that the district had a "sufficient supply" of consumer goods and authorities were seeking solutions to ease the situation. He rejected the possibility of using force to end the rally. The Nation
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