Two men arrested for firebombing in Pattani

SUPAWADEE SUSANPOOLTHONG

A trainee Islamic teacher and a student were arrested yesterday on suspicion of hurling firebombs during an attack in Pattani's Nong Chik district on Aug 11.

At the same time, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra blamed ``rebellious'' Muslim religious teachers for the spate of unrest in the far South.

Mr Thaksin said the rebel religious teachers had been exploiting young people to further their own agendas.

They could do so with ease since young southerners were largely poor and gullible.

One the other hand, some Islamic teachers had been very positive and were helping defend young people from the depredations of the rebellious teachers, the prime minister said.

The arrests of Ahama Sama, a teacher trainee at San Samakkhi School, and Mamud Heemboo, a student from Darulmaref School were announced by the Fourth Army yesterday.

The investigation into arson attacks in Nong Chik has been expanded, and Islamic teachers Nimahamud Haji Samae, Arsuemi Asae and Sama-ae Yusoh, and former teacher Maripeng Saleng have been identified as other key suspects.

Mr Maripeng has been told to report for questioning, while Mr Arseumee and Mr Sama-ae have already reported to the police to protest their innocence.

Maj-Gen Kwanchart Klaharn, the Fourth Army deputy commander, said Mr Nimahamud, Mr Arsuemee, Mr Sama-ae and Mr Maripeng were probably involved in perpetrating arson attacks, but further investigations would be required.

The four men denied any involvement.

Maj-Gen Kwanchart said insurgents are continuing to wreak havoc despite efforts between the police and the community to ensure security.

Some Muslim religious teachers are said to be pulling the strings, while the Fourth Army says it is using peaceful means in its efforts to halt the violence in the far South.

Authorities would keep a close watch on ``rebel'' teachers and immediate action would be taken once strong evidence came to light.

Mr Thaksin also said Chularatchamontri Sawasdi Sumalayasak, the country's Muslim spiritual leader, and the Education Ministry had also been asked to revamp Muslim religious schools, known as ponohs.

He said ponohs had been allowed to operate for more than ten years and the problems that had accumulated were now starting to become apparent.

The government might review scholarships or grants provided by Muslim countries, he added.

Mr Thaksin said local people were now more cooperative and had a better understanding and friendlier attitude towards the authorities. Yala police yesterday issued a warrant for the arrest of Adul Muni, an Islamic teacher at a ponoh on a charge of theft. Mr Adul has been linked to recent explosions in Yala.

The warrant was issued after police seized a stolen motorcycle from his house in Muang district. The house is believed to have been used to produce bombs.