Killings at mosque - Muslims do not believe Thai army denials

Villagers looking at pictures of the 11 people killed in the shooting.

SUNGAI GOLOK (southern Thailand): The Muslim community here has not taken kindly to the Thai army's denials of its troops' involvement in Monday's shooting that left 11 people dead during prayers at the Al-Furqan mosque, Kampung Air Tempayan near Choi Ai Rong, about 50km from here.

They said such statements were made every time there was a similar incident but instead of soothing their feelings, it made them even angrier.

Wan Muhammad, 23, who lost his father in the incident, said even if soldiers were not involved, it was almost certain that elements from the army were involved in assisting the killers.

"The statements are nothing but lies. If the army was really not involved in the tragedy, then we want them to prove it by bringing the killers to justice.

"Putting the blame on the separatists is easy but we don't believe it. Even the worst of Muslims here will not dare to shoot people while they are praying in a mosque," he said.

Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda on Tuesday had denied the involvement of security forces and accused separatists who were trying to pin blame on the army for the killing.

Ismail Abdul, 45, said if soldiers were not involved, then the assailants were most likely Thai Buddhists who were out for revenge as many of them had been killed by separatists since violence broke out in the southern provinces in 2004.

"Two Buddhists, including a rubber tapper, were killed by separatists days before the attack and it is possible that they want to avenge the killings.

"But then, only the separatists and soldiers have the automatic rifles used in the shooting.

"It is very unlikely that the separatists were involved, so that leaves only the army," said Ismail, who came from a neighbouring village to visit the scene.

The chairman of the Pattani Islamic Religious Council, Abdul Rahman Daud, called on the government to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"The government must act quickly to detain the killers and put them on trial to stop the people from blaming each other."

Rahman said it would also help the government to earn the trust of the people who were unhappy as many killers involved in similar past incidents have gone free.

"The distrust between the people and the government, between Thai Muslims and Buddhists, will continue if no firm action is taken to stop such acts," he said. The New Straits Times