More than 1,000 people are continuing their demonstration at the historic main mosque in Pattani, demanding troops be withdrawn and the state of emergency be lifted.

Meanwhile, another 1,000 people - Muslims and Buddhists - demonstrated in Pattani municipality against the occupation, which entered its fourth day yesterday.

The protesters are now demanding that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont endorse a 30-member joint committee agreed to with provincial authorities on Saturday.

The panel will consider demonstrators' demands and investigate allegations of assaults by soldiers on local residents. Its membership includes protest leader and Ramkhamhaeng University student Tuvaedaniya Awaemaegnae, Pattani Islamic Committee chairman Waeduramae Mamingji and human rights activist Angkhana Neelaphaijit, the wife of missing prominent lawyer Somchai.

Protesters said prime ministerial endorsement was not a pre-condition to end the demonstration. But they want the government to solve problems in the region, where more than 2,000 have been killed since violence began in 2004.

Local Muslims blame their poor treatment as the cause while the government says separatists are orchestrating violence. Muslims say security officials assault innocent people.

The mosque protesters want troops removed - notably Army Rangers. They accused a ranger of raping and killing a woman in Yaha district of Yala.

Internal Security Operations Command in Army Region Four dismissed the claim in a statement yesterday. It said the woman was shot dead but a post-mortem showed no signs of rape. It was not stated if the shooting was by a ranger.

The mosque demonstration was opposed by a group of about 1,000 Muslim and Buddhist residents in downtown Pattani. They wanted the demonstration to disperse because of inconvenience caused in the area with the cancellation of cellular telephone services and the closing of shops.

The cellular network was shut down to prevent militants from triggering bombs using mobile telephones. Roads have been blocked to prevent more people from joining the demonstration.

The Nation

PATTANI