Army rejects call to protect protesters

Army rejects call to protect protesters

The army cannot form a special unit to help safeguard protesters as requested by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, deputy army spokesman Winthai Suvari says.

National police chief Adul Saengsingkaew, right, talks to army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School in Nakhon Nayok yesterday. Police and military top brass attended a ceremony to mark the 56th anniversary of the school’s founding. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD

Any operations by the army must adhere strictly to the law, particularly as a state of emergency has been declared, Col Winthai said.

The decree empowers the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) to order the use of force. As a result, the army must abide by the law; otherwise military personnel would not receive legal protection in their operations, he said.

The deputy spokesman was responding to Mr Suthep's request that the military come out to protect protesters from attacks following the deadly shooting of Sutin Tharatin, a core leader of the People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism, an anti-government allied group, on Sunday.

Col Winthai said the army has now increased the number of troops joining police at checkpoints covering areas under the emergency decree, while rapid operation teams have been prepared to intervene should any violence take place.

Any group which holds rallies in those areas is breaking the law, but this does not mean that other groups can use measures against them that go beyond the scope of the law.

Col Winthai said army chief Prayuth Gen Chan-ocha wants to ensure the law is enforced equally for all.

Gen Prayuth has asked police chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew to speed up investigations and arrest the attackers who caused deaths during the anti-government protests, said Col Winthai.

He quoted Gen Prayuth as saying the army chief was saddened by the clash in front of Wat Sri Iam in Bang Na on Sunday that left Sutin dead and 10 others wounded.

The incident took place as an anti-government group blocked advance voting for the general election.

"The army chief expressed sorrow over the incident as he is worried by the continued use of violence," Col Winthai said.

The army will work with the CMPO to reinforce security measures in various areas, he said.

He said the incident should not be used as a political tool to stir up conflict. Gen Prayuth has warned troops not to station themselves together with guards at rally sites, a military source said.

He was afraid the army would be seen to be allied with the demonstrators, the source added.

Troops from 40 military companies were also deployed to take care of security in 37 locations, including areas close to protest sites.

The security is necessary in order to protect rally-goers from potential attacks using war weapons at long range, the source said.

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