A Muslim leader seen as a major figure in efforts to end a bloody insurgency in Thailand's south was shot dead Monday, raising concern about the future of peace talks.
Imam Yacob Raimanee of the Pattani Central Mosque -- the main house of Islamic worship in one of several violence-plagued southern provinces -- was gunned down on Monday afternoon in the town of Pattani, police said.
The killing comes despite an agreement between Thailand and Muslim rebels from the region to try to avoid bloodshed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends this week.
"I can say that this incident is worrying," National Security Council chief and lead peace negotiator Paradorn Pattanatabut told AFP.
"The imam was one of those supporting the talks... he was killed, so we are concerned," he said.
The insurgency in the Muslim-dominated region has claimed more than 5,700 lives since 2004, with bombings, shootings and even beheadings targeting those perceived as collaborating with the Thai state.
In recent months, talks between the Thai authorities and some rebel groups including the Barisan Revolusi Nasional have brought tentative hopes of peace.
Malaysia -- which has hosted peace talks -- announced on July 12 that the two sides had agreed to try to stem the unrest during Ramadan.
But after a period of relative calm, violence resumed in late July, with a spate of bomb and gun attacks in southern Thailand that left nine people dead including teachers and police officers.
Paradorn vowed that the talks will continue.
"They are trying to frighten people -- so we have to be patient and strong," he said.
Thailand researcher for New York-based watchdog Human Rights Watch, Sunai Phasuk, said Yacob was "the main driving force behind the effort to deradicalise Muslim youth in Pattani province".
"Imam Yacob is the most high-profile target among those Muslims that insurgents accuse of collaborating with the Thai state," he told AFP.
AFP
Mon Aug 05 2013
Gambar Arkib
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Rabu, 8 Mei 2024.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Mohon secara rasmi jika mahu perkongsian strategik dengan MOT, JPJ - Loke
MOT tidak menolak perkongsian strategik dengan mana-mana pihak ketiga atau swasta untuk melakukan perkhidmatan bagi pihak agensi di bawah kementerian itu.
Serang Safiq Rahim: Kerajaan Johor yakin kewibawaan PDRM siasat, kesan pelaku
Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi sedih dan terkejut dengan apa yang berlaku, namun yakin dengan keupayaan PDRM yang akan menyiasat perkara tersebut.
Pemandu e-hailing cedera dalam kejadian pokok tumbang terima faedah Perkeso
Pemandu e-hailing yang cedera dalam kejadian itu menerima bayaran faedah daripada Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeso).
Bomba Kelantan rekod lebih 1,300 kes kebakaran terbuka
Sebanyak 1,379 kes kebakaran terbuka melibatkan hutan, kebun, belukar dan sampah direkodkan di Kelantan bermula Januari hingga Isnin lepas (6 Mei).
Piala Sumbangsih: Enggan kompromi soal keselamatan, Selangor FC nekad ‘tidak hadir’
Selangor FC berkata, keselamatan pasukan adalah perkara paling utama dan mereka memandang serius akan segala bentuk keganasan dan ancaman.
Malaysia dijangka tarik lebih banyak aliran masuk asing daripada pewarisan harta di Asia bernilai AS$1.9 trilion - SC
Malaysia dijangka dapat menarik lebih banyak aliran masuk asing dengan jangkaan pewarisan harta yang lebih besar daripada golongan berusia kepada generasi lebih muda di Asia.
KPN tidak cadang wujud talian 24 jam baharu tangani isu hina agama selain Islam
Kementerian Perpaduan Negara (KPN) tidak bercadang untuk mewujudkan satu talian 24 jam baharu mengendalikan aduan berkaitan penghinaan terhadap mana-mana agama selain agama Islam.
Masyarakat perlu bangkit, beri tekanan kepada Israel - Nurul Izzah
Semua lapisan masyarakat harus bangkit dan memberi tekanan kepada Israel serta sekutunya untuk berhenti melakukan perkara yang menambah kesengsaraan kepada warga Gaza.