Calls for urgent moves to ease crisis in far South

MPs and senators called for urgent measures to ensure safety for local residents and speed up inquiries to find the culprits behind the recent wave of attacks.

Narathiwat MP Najmuddin Uma suggested the government set up an independent panel to investigate the violence to ensure neutrality.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed to the idea of an independent panel. He said local religious leaders would also be appointed to such a committee.

The premier said his government focused on creating a good understanding rather than use of force or suppression in dealing with the insurgency problem.

He said his administration expected to present a draft law in the August parliamentary session to set up a permanent body, called the Office for the Management of Southern Border Provinces, to handle such matters.

A group of Senators who call themselves "Senate Friends of the Southerners" called a press conference at Parliament yesterday to propose measures to deal with the insurgency in the far South.

Pattani Senator Worawit Baroo said the group wanted urgent measures to ensure people's safety in the restive region. The government should expedite investigations to determine the culprits behind violent attacks, especially the fatal shooting of 11 people in a mosque in Narathiwat last week.

Meanwhile, the Advisory Council to Promote Peace in the Southern Border Provinces made a three-point proposal in a bid to end the insurgency.

Council members, who include local community and religious leaders, bureaucrats, soldiers and police, met yesterday in Pattani. After, Chairman Aziz Benhawan called for the authorities find the culprits as soon as possible.

He said the council wants the government to focus on education, religion and the economy in ending violence in the region, as well as allowing "genuine public participation" in the formulation of policies for the region.