Gestapo Tactics Fan Terrorism: Chuan

Gestapo tactics fan terrorism: Chuan

Opposition Democrat lawmakers yesterday criticised the government for employing Gestapo-like tactics in the deep South that have aggravated rather than alleviated the surge of violence in the region.

"Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has underestimated the problem because he believes a police report that only some 30 southern terrorists are still active," MP Chuan Leekpai said.

"The premier then proceeds to set a three-month deadline for the fight against terrorism. He thinks the problem can be solved easily if authorities manage to eliminate about 10 terrorists a month."

Chuan, a two-time former prime minister, was participat- ing in a House debate on the unrest in the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

"The dormant separatist movement has been allowed to regenerate these past two years as the government mistakenly views them as bandits rather than political agitators," he said.

"The situation degenerated further after the government used terror to fight terror. And it's the people who are suffering. In February, some 29 people were killed in terror-related incidents."

"Southern residents are living in fear of police-staged abductions. I suspect some powerful figures have backed police to resort to illegal means," he added.

The government should instead try to spur economic development in the five southern border provinces, including Songkhla and Satun, he said.

MP Suwan Kusujarit said the government should come to grips with the rebels as the instigators and come up with a line of attack accordingly.

"Terrorism thrives because government officials in the predominantly Muslim areas have been insensitive and inflicted injustice on the local people," he said.

Kobsak Sabhavasu urged government leaders to stop speculating on the developments in the South, expressing concern that Thaksin's loose tongue had jeopardised relations with Malaysia.

Interior Minister Bhokin Bhalakula spoke up for the government, saying the southern violence had been spawned by the localised independence movement as well as the growing tension between the Muslim world and the West.

With respect to the disappearances of southern residents, some 25 were reported as possible kidnappings with police involvement, he said.

Six had been found and returned home, four were found dead and the remaining 14 cases remain unsolved.

--The Nation 2004-04-09