Former communist insurgents could lose their right to aid from the government if they are arrested and charged with involvement in political activities, the Internal Security Operations Command has warned.
Isoc spokesman Dithaporn Sasasamit said yesterday that Isoc did not prohibit ex-communists from getting involved in politics as that was a personal matter. He was responding to reports that some former communists had been found taking part in the red and yellow shirt movements.
However, he said they might need to be warned that they would lose their right to assistance from the state as so-called contributors to development if they were charged with criminal offences, Maj Gen Dithaporn said.
Only former communists who had surrendered to the authorities were eligible to receive the assistance.
Previously, the Isoc had pledged to provide eligible former communists with 5 rai of land, five head of cattle and money ranging from 50,000 baht to 125,000 baht as a reward for giving up. However, this offer probably would be revised as the former communists now prefer to receive the assistance in the form of money, he said.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra recently appointed a committee to follow up on the government's assistance programme for the ex-insurgents. The panel is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa.