Thai government's crackdown on Muslim protests<\/p>\n
The persistent clashes in Thailand's southern provinces are
\nconsistently cast by the government as a law and order issue. On
\nMonday, the third serious outbreak this year alone saw lawful
\nauthority challenged when protesters attacked a police station to
\nfree defense volunteers held on suspicion of passing arms to
\nIslamic militants. The cause and effect is troubling enough,
\nwithout resurgent Islam having re-energized a dormant
\nsecessionist lobby. Some 400 people have died this year in three
\nbig clashes. All of these had elements of a political challenge
\nto an elected government, street rioting, and pure criminality
\nsuch as thefts of arms.<\/p>\n
Where does drug- and gun-running end and the funding of agents
\nout to undermine the state begin? Why is it that the Muslims
\nnever fail to mention discrimination in jobs and education? Is
\ndespair feeding anti-government sentiment? Where does militant
\nIslam fit into the picture? Mr. Thaksin told southerners the
\nauthorities will not be permitted to harass the locals, and \"bad
\nlocals\" will not be allowed to harass the authorities and other
\npeaceable people. This was close to acknowledging that mutual
\nanimosity is deep-seated.
\n-- The Straits Times, Singapore<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/thai-governments-crackdown-on-muslim-protests-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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