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Published on July 23, 2007

Many deny any connection with the violence that has paralysed the region for almost three and a half years.

Some of those arrested are the elderly and infirm with little knowledge of the situation. They were detained without charge for weeks.

Rohya Maseng, 60, still has no idea why he was taken away on July 6 and held at a military camp in Pattani for 16 days.

He was nabbed in the early morning from Ban Kawa while on his way to work at a rubber plantation.

Rohya and his relative, 67-year-old Imam Ma-arong Haji Abdurrahman, were among 40 suspects taken away from the village.

Ban Kawa in Sungai Padi district has been designated a red zone - identified by the Army as a haven for militants.

"I was interrogated for just 15 minutes when I arrived at Ingkayuthaborihan camp in Pattani. Soldiers just asked about my children," he said in an interview with The Nation.

He was locked up with three others for one week before being allowed outside during week two.

"They use cargo containers as cells. But, it's not that bad - it's air-conditioned," he said.

"Military officials were polite; they did not use any rude words during my interrogation and no threats were made," he added.

Nevertheless, Rohya knows life will never be the same. He must report to a nearby military unit regularly.

"I understand I am under surveillance from both sides. The military keeps eyes on me to see if I contact any militants. The militants will watch me to see if I get in touch with the military," he explained. "I don't know anyone on either side."

He believes he was arrested because of his involvement in the bloody Tak Bai police-station incident of October 2004.

At least 85 people died when the demonstration escalated. Rohya attended the demonstration with son Marohdee bin Rohya and few dozen villagers. Many travelled with him in his pickup vehicle.

"I think the names of my son and I have been on an official list since then," he said. "You can't get your name off."

Marohdee travels frequently to Malaysia on business. He has been summoned for questioning to a military unit near his village more than 10 times and must report daily to local officials. His house is searched often.

Participation in the Tak Bai demonstration and his visits to Malaysia are causes for instant suspicion.

Ban Kawa village head Dollah Haji Abdurrahman has no idea why village members were arrested.

"We are very close. Most of us are relatives. I don't know why they were taken. They have never been involved in violence," he said.

He questioned the Army's tactics of mass arrests and said most were not involved in the insurgency.

Such is the case of Amee Isoh. Villagers say he has a troubled mind. He was arrested and continues to be detained at a military camp in Khlong Hoi Khong district of Songkhla.

Neighbours say he was taken away because he often spoke of having killed five officials. "We all know he is abnormal; only a crazy man would say such a thing," Dollah said.

Army spokesman Acra Tiproch said a quarter of those arrested were "key members of the insurgent movement directly involved in a spate of violence in the region".

A total of 70 are members of the insurgent group Rundi Kumpulan Kecil. Another 23 are considered to be its spiritual leaders. The rest are sympathisers, the Army said.

Most will be released after 30 days, in accordance with emergency laws. Acra said they would be re-educated, given an "attitude correction".

There is "solid evidence" to prosecute others, he added.

The Army has now released about 50 - mostly old, ill or infirm, or with no connection to the uprising, he added.

Acra defended the reliability of names the Army has as suspected militants, saying many sources had contributed to the information, including suspect interrogations, forensics and local tip-offs.

The arrest campaign is dubbed "operation South protection" and will continue until violence is contained, Acra revealed, adding the Army believed the policy would end the years-long rebellion.

Supalak G Khundee

The Nation

SUNGAI PADI, NARATHIWAT