As government compensates deep South victims, the killing goes on

 Family members of 21 civilians and six police officers killed earlier in the line of duty, as well as 23 officers and 15 civilians injured in the violence, took part in the ceremony yesterday organised by the provincial officer to win hearts and minds in the local community.

 The event came one day after violent attacks in the nearby provinces of Pattani and Narathiwat where five people died in two separate shooting incidents police blamed on separatists.

 In Pattani's Tung Yang Daeng district, six men on motorbikes opened fire with M16 rifles in a gangland style attack  on a local home, killing three people in this highly contested area which, according to police, is infested with separatists and sympathisers.

 In Narathiwat's Rangae district, assailants attacked a pickup truck with AK47 assault rifles on the outskirts of the town, killing two and injuring six others as they riddled the vehicle with bullets.

 Police identified the victims as village chief Suhaiming Unu, 45, and Arong Kaseng, 22, both residents of Tambon Kalisa of Rangae district.

 In Pattani's Yarang district, attackers set on fire the twostorey building of the Pitumuding Tambon Administrative Organisation on Monday afternoon when security guards were away for their evening prayers.