Investigative Panel Says Four Pattani Raid Victims Were Not Militants

Four suspected militants were killed in the Thung Yang Daeng district of the Pattani province in late March after clashing with the government. Tuesday, an investigating panel reported that the four victims were not supporters of the insurgency, or militants. The panel also stated that legal action should be taken against officials who were involved in the raid in Moo 6 village on March 25.

After the incident, family members of the slain victims insisted that the men were innocent and not connected to the insurgency. An investigate panel was set up to look into the case after the families accused the authorities of reacting excessively.

Four men were killed in the March 25 raid, including three Islamic University students and the Piten Tambon Administration Organisation deputy chairman’s son. The results of the inquiry were announced on Tuesday by two of the investigative panel members.

The panel concluded that the four men who were killed were not supporters of the insurgency or militants. However, the panel also concluded that the raid was conducted properly and in line with procedures. What the panel did not address was whether or not the killing of the four men was legal.

The investigative panel is leaving it to officials to conduct more investigations and collect evidence to get the facts surrounding both the killings and the weapons. The panel is also proposing that legal action be taken against officials involved in the raid.

-- 2015-04-07