Isoc reconsiders village for reformed insurgents

Isoc reconsiders village for reformed insurgents

Isoc vows to review plan after locals complain

Members of a Sukhirin tambon (village) committee prepare a mock welcome for a friendship delegation from next-door Kelantan province of Malaysia, but have indicated they will not welcome separatists who have surrendered. (Photo courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Members of a Sukhirin tambon (village) committee prepare a mock welcome for a friendship delegation from next-door Kelantan province of Malaysia, but have indicated they will not welcome separatists who have surrendered. (Photo courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Yala: The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) yesterday pledged to set up a committee to study its plan to establish a new village for former insurgents in tambon Sukhirin in Narathiwat's Sukhirin district after local residents expressed discontent at the idea.

The former separatists are those who have reported to the 4th Army Region's "Bring People Home" project which is aimed at helping them reintegrate into society.

According to deputy 4th Army Region commander, Maj Gen Wunlop Thitikul, the committee would work closely with more than 500 local residents in three villages close to the area where a village for the former insurgents could be established.

The three villages are Ban Chulabhorn Pattana 12, Ban Rak Tham and Ban Leelanon in tambon Sukhirin in Narathiwat' Sukhirin district, he said.

He was referring to the latest move by a group of residents in the district who last week came out to oppose the army's plan.

"We have just floated the idea of building a new village for ex-insurgents in this area but it does not mean that we have finished our deliberations.

"We have yet to study whether it is possible. If not we have to find other solutions," Maj Gen Wunlop said.

Maj Gen Wunlop said he wanted local people to understand that these former insurgents had nothing to do with recent southern violence as they were implicated in unrest in the region and fled to neighbouring countries 30 years ago. Many are now in their 70s, he said.

Lt Gen Piyawat Nakwanich, the 4th Army commander, is overseeing the project.

The project aims to bring former insurgents back home and give them identity cards because they are Thais, Maj Gen Wunlop said.

"We are doing this for humanitarian reasons," said Maj Gen Wunlop.

"I would like to reaffirm that these people are neither bandits nor people who would cause trouble.

"However, some villagers were averse to the allocation of land close to their villages to these people. They are concerned that the plan will impact the forest, the environment, tourism and their livelihoods. Of course, we have to listen to them," Maj Gen Wunlop said.

Maj Gen Wunlop explained that people joining the "Bring People Home" project can be categorised into two groups.

The first are former members of insurgent groups who fled the country to avoid prosecution 30 years ago. The other comprises people now involved in violence in the South who are still living in the kingdom, he said.

Maj Gen Wunlop said those joining the project will be stringently vetted to ensure they have no outstanding warrants and intend to contribute to their new village.

Government agencies will offer occupational training and generate employment and income for them, he said.

According to Isoc's latest data, 122 ex-insurgents who fled the country have joined the project since October last year and 288 insurgents involved in the current fighting have given up their armed struggle and joined the state's project.

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