Progress for locals key to South peace

Progress for locals key to South peace

Development initiatives to improve people's lives are key to ending the violence in the insurgency-plagued region, National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Anusit Kunakorn said yesterday.

Speaking at Government House, Mr Anusit said development in the region had helped solve past problems with communist rebels in the South.

He said the NSC is now throwing its full support behind new development schemes for southern border areas alongside all government ministries, adding residents are responding well to the approach.

However, Mr Anusit said the problem of "influential people" in the far South is another issue that must be tackled to bring stability to the region.

Asked if any additional security measures will be put in place for the New Year holiday, he said the government has no plans to vary current measures, but is staying alert to monitor the potential for violence in restive areas.

A framework to restart peace talks with southern insurgents is being drafted, but the NSC secretary-general said he still has no idea when the next round of negotiations will start.

Meanwhile, a former member of the municipality council of tambon Mayo was shot dead by a gunman in Mayo district, Pattani province yesterday morning, police said.

Mayo police chief Pol Col Kong-ath Suwankham said the attack occurred at 9.10am as Saidee Yuso, 59 was travelling to his wife's home by motorcycle.

Saidee was shot from a car that had been following him as he passed a local mosque. He was hit several times and seriously wounded.

He was taken to Mayo Hospital but died. Police found spent shells from an M16 rifle at the scene.

Officers were investigating a possible political conflict as the motive.

Saidee planned to lead a team of candidates to contest local elections after the country returns to full democracy.

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