MONK SHOT TO DEATH IN THAILAND’S SOUTH AS VIOLENCE CONTINUES
Two Buddhist monks were shot, one fatally near the town of Yala in southern Thailand. Violence in the area is very high with a continuous string of killings perpetrated by insurgent groups seeking to establish an independent Islamic territory.
The territory in question was an independent Muslim Sultanate until annexed by Thailand in 1902. Unrest has flared up on many occasions since that time. Insurgents are suspected of trying to create division and violence between Buddhists and Muslims. The latest incident prior to the monk’s shootings involves an attack on a mosque last Monday where 11 people were shot to death during prayers. Insurgents are seeking to incite the local Muslims to blame security forces, though the attackers are unknown.
The Thai government is seeking to increase development of the area in an attempt to stem the violence. A three year plan was announced in which 54 billion Baht is to be spent on development projects for the region.
General Aunupong of the Thai army stated in regards to the accusations that security forces had committed the mosque massacre “We cannot speculate on who the perpetrators are without evidence.”
MONK SHOT TO DEATH IN THAILAND’S SOUTH AS VIOLENCE CONTINUES
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