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Thai Buddhist beheaded in south
A Buddhist man has been found beheaded in the majority Muslim province of Pattani in southern Thailand. A note found next to the man's head claimed the murder was carried out in response to last week's arrest of a prominent Muslim student leader. It was the fifth decapitation in a conflict that has claimed more than 700 lives in the past 18 months. The note next to the severed head of retired teacher Kamol Chuneth carried a message obviously intended for police. The note said that the authorities had arrested the wrong man. The person it appeared to be referring to is a local Muslim student leader, who was recently arrested and charged with involvement in the ongoing unrest. He is currently being held in the capital, Bangkok. Since the violence escalated in January 2004, the death toll has continued to rise steadily in a conflict between local Muslim separatist groups and the Buddhist Thai authorities. Many Muslims have complained of discrimination by the central government, particularly in education. Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra publicly stated last month that his government would tone down its hardline stance on the issue. However the almost daily murders in the area appear to signify he is no closer to solving the problem. Posted by: Steve 2005-06-15 |
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