PM Abhisit calls for calm
- Published: 10/03/2010 at 01:58 PM
- Online news: Breakingnews
There have been intelligence reports of possible acts of sabotage during the weekend rally by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), but people should not panic, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday.
The prime minister was speaking after chairing a meeting of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) to discuss measures to be taken under the Internal Security Act (ISA), which has been invoked from March 11-23 to cope with the mass rally of the red-shirts.
"There have really been reports of possible sabotage. People should be on the alert, but should not panic," he said.
Intelligence reports on Monday warned of preparations to cause big explosions at two major spots and smaller explosions at 30 to 40 locations.
The prime minister denied suggestions the government was trying plant news stories about possible violence, saying that would be pointless.
The prime minister reiterated his warning that the red-shirts' real objective was something beyond a House dissolution, so people should think carefully before taking part in the rally.
He said he was not discouraged by the recent attacks on his house by people throwing human excrement and cow dung.
Mr Abhisit said it was agreed at today's Isoc meeting to appoint PM's secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu to head a working group to coordinate with core members of the UDD, because any misunderstanding of the government's intentions during the demonstrations could lead to violence.
The security monitoring committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban would from now on be referred to as the "peace-keeping centre", he said.
Authorities handling the rally would not be armed. However, there would be armed police units available for rapid deployment to cope with any incidents which may arise, Mr Abhisit said.
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- Writer: Online Reporters
- Position: Online Reporters
