Crisis group defends Islamic school charges

A long-established Malay Muslim separatist group on Tuesday lashed out at the Brussels-based ICG for calling Islamic schools as breeding grounds for an armed ethno-nationalist struggle in Thailand's southern border provinces.

In a detailed report, Crisis Group said insurgency groups scout for new militant recruits among students at Islamic schools, known as pondok in the Malay-speaking South.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Kasturi Mahkota, the foreign affairs chief of the Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo), said the ICG report played into the hands of "Thai ultra-nationalists".

He dismissed allegations that the pondok school system "is being used in any way to propagate violence".

Crisis Group's Thailand analyst, Rungrawee Chalermsripinyorat, said the report had made it clear that not all schools have been used as incubators, that they could be only a few.

Even in schools where insurgent activities have taken place, not all the administrators, teachers and students are necessarily aware of the activities, let alone consent to them.

"Some schools have been used only as cover for the underground activities. We do not blame all the Islamic institutions," she said.

"ICG certainly has no intention to undermine the religious school system in southern Thailand. We believe that Islamic schools are crucial to the education of young Malay Muslims and are an integral part of communities in the deep South," she said.

ICG does not agree with any closure of Islamic schools.

"We emphasise the need for the government to address the underlying grievances that drive the Malay Muslims to joining the struggle in the first place.

"The government should recognise their distinct cultural identity, end human rights violations and open more political space for them," she said.

The wave of violence in the predominantly Muslim region that flared up in the beginning of 2004 has killed more than 3,500 people so far.

Nobody has claimed responsibility. Authorities struggle to find the root cause of the problem and contain the almost daily violence.

Yesterday, two suspected militants were arrested in Yala's Thanto district. Romalee Kalupae and Sari Sama were caught with many weapons, cell phones and propaganda leaflets.

Lt General Kasikorn Kirisri, commander of the Civilian, Military and Police Task Force, said the two men are key members of the insurgent movement who worked to enlist new fighters and gather financial support.