A government panel in charge of security in the deep South has agreed to replace the emergency law with a more lenient internal security legislation to govern Sukhurin district of Narathiwat, said a senior security officer.
National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Wanlop Rugsanaoh said the panel has approved the use of the Internal Security Act in Sukhirin district after violent attacks there have started to wane.
He said the proposed lifting of the emergency law, officially known as the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations, reflects the government's efforts to address problems in the region and promoting economic and social development there.
He said the committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, has also extended the use of the emergency decree in the deep South for another three months from Dec 20 to March 19.
The proposal will be forwarded to the cabinet for approval.
If approved, Sukhirin will be the fourth district in the region to be governed by the Internal Security Act after Mae Lan in Pattani, Betong in Yala and Sungai Kolok district in Narathiwat.
The emergency decree gives authorities the power to detain suspects for up to 30 days, whereas the security act caps detentions at seven days. The security act also gives the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) direct supervision, unlike the emergency decree which hands power to a national committee headed by the deputy premier.
A source said the Isoc has proposed five districts to be governed by the internal security law. The four others are Kabang in Yala, Mai Kaen, Waeng and Nong Chik districts in Pattani. However, the committee has only approved Sukhurin district after reviewing the overall situation, according to the source.
Gen Wanlop said Gen Prawit has urged security authorities to intensify efforts in intelligence-gathering to ensure public safety and determine if violence is related to southern unrest or other issues such as drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, three people were arrested in Narathiwat's Sungai Padi district and charged with drug trafficking, local officials said. They were found with 400 speed pills.
