Panel to investigate Pattani shooting | Bangkok Post: news

A provincial level inquiry has begun into Sunday's controverial shootings in Pattani, as a prominent human rights activist demands Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa take responsibility for giving out inaccurate information about the killing of people. travelling in a pick-up by paramilitary rangers.

Muslim men on Monday bury the body of a man who was shot dead by military rangers in Pattani on Sunday night.

Pattani governor Theera Mintrasak said on Tuesday that the committee of inquiry will investigate the incident in Nong Chik district on Sunday night in which four people were killed and five wounded.

Mr Theera said the committee will find out what actually happened in order to ensure justice.

The inquiry was expected to be completed within 30 days. Legal action would be taken against anyone found to be in the wrong, including government authorities, he said.

The Pattani governor, Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre secretary-general Tawee Sodsong and provincial police chief Pichet Pitisethaphan this morning visited the families of those killed and wounded in the shooting incident.

They gave 100,000 baht to each of the families of those killed and an undisclosed amount to each of the wounded.

Lt-Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat, the Army Region 4 commander, on Tuesday morning held a press conference to give details of the shootings.

He said early on Sunday night assailants fired M79 grenades at the operational base of Ranger Company 4302 at Ban Nam Dam in tambon Pulo Puyo of Nong Chik. The attackers quickly fled.

The base radioed for help and ranger units were despatched to intercept the attackers. At Ban Kayi, a pick-up truck carrying a number of people was stopped for a search.

Some of the men on board got out of the pick-up truck and then opened fire at the rangers, he said. A firefight followed. Four people were killed and five wounded in the clash. He made no mention of military casualties.

Lt-Gen Udomchai said he is responsible for military operations in the region but does not want this sort of incident to happen because those involved in the incident were all Thais.

He said his aim is to safeguard the people's lives and property.

The rangers had followed his orders, that they counterattack if their base is attacked.

Since there were deaths and injuries as a result of the action, he had to accept responsibility, Lt-Gen Udomchai said.

Based on the outcome of the investigation, those affected by the incident will get compensation. The Region 4 Internal Security Operations Command strictly complies with the law and human rights principles, he said.

Religious leaders and relatives of the dead and wounded could rest assured that they will get justice within the scope of the law, he added.