An Islamic separatist organisation has lashed out at what it called the government’s heavy-handed actions in the deep South and called for justice for all Muslims in the restive region.

The exiled separatist Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) issued a statement from its office in Sweden criticising the government’s harsh treatment of Muslims.

The remarks coincided with Hari Raya (Eid al-Fitri) celebrations this week to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

More than 1,300 people have been killed and 200 injured in over 2,500 acts of violence in the deep South, it said. More than 200 people have gone missing and 131 Muslims have sought refuge in Malaysia.

Pulo accused the government of killing and prosecuting Islamic religious teachers, resulting in retaliation against Buddhist monks by local militants.

“We condemn the policy of the Thai government of killing Muslim teachers and also the killing of monks as it could lead to a war between religions,” the statement said.

At least two Buddhist temples in southernmost Pattani province have been attacked in the last two weeks, killing an elderly monk and two temple boys, as well as damaging temple property.

The authorities detained 23 suspects in connection with the two incidents, seven of whom have confessed to their involvement in the attacks, according to a senior police officer.

Attacks on temples have deepened the divide between local Buddhists and Muslims, as intelligence communities warn of an increase in violence before the end of Ramadan.

The international community has also voiced concern over the upsurge in violence in the predominantly Muslim region, which started in January last year.

Pulo said it agreed with a statement issued on October 18 by Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, in which he expressed concern over the violence in the deep South.

“Because we do not believe that the method used by the Thai government can solve this problem”, Pulo said in its statement.

“As long as they [the government] do not give justice to the Patani people by respecting our cultural rights and the right to self government (Patani Darussalam), there can be no peace.”

Muslims across the region yesterday went shopping for gold, food and new clothes to prepare to celebrate Hari Raya, which falls tomorrow in accordance with Malay-Muslim tradition.

The authorities beefed up security in the deep South to protect citizens ahead of the celebrations.

Pupalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Pattani