Muslim leaders from the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat jointly declared the policy of noncooperation in reaction to last week’s search of the house of Waedueramae Maminchi, chairman of the Islamic Council of Pattani, said a spokesman for the three provinces’ Islamic councils. The councils comprise prominent members of the Muslim community. "The Muslim leaders...who have been cooperating with Thai authorities to help resolve the spate of violence and other problems in the three southern provinces have declared they are temporarily stopping cooperation and all action in helping the Thai authorities until the situation is changed," spokesman Abdurrahman Jaesae told The Associated Press.
The search was part of an ongoing government campaign to catch the perpetrators of recent violence, especially a raid in early January on an army base in which four soldiers were killed and more than 100 assault weapons were stolen. The attack coincided with the torching of 21 state schools. "Waedueramae Maminchi is the head of Muslims in Pattani - searching the house of a prominent Muslim leader is regarded as the act of insulting Muslims, so this is the last straw," Abdurrahman said. "We Muslims see the acts of the authorities as the means to discredit Muslim leaders who are well-respected by the people." |