Insurgents burnt down a school in Yala's Yaha district late Monday night, a day before the anniversary of a separatist movement. The two storey building comprising of five rooms of Ban Lue-neng school was burnt to the ground, police said.
Border patrol soldiers and police investigated the scene on Tuesday morning and found pieces of cloth which insurgents used to dip into oil in setting the school on fire. Before setting it ablaze, insurgents looted the school of its four computers, a TV set and other electronic appliances worth 700,000 baht. Police believed more than 10 insurgents were involved in the arson.
Security in southernmost provinces have been tightened as Tuesday marks the anniversary of the BRN (Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Pattani) insurgent group. Authorities warn of possible insurgent attacks during the three days of the anniversary, or from Tuesday to Thursday. At least 22 checkpoints have been set up in Yala province to prevent major attacks there. |