Isoc eyes 2nd ‘Patani state’ complaint

A second police complaint will be filed against those involved in calling for a referendum on an independent “Patani state”, according to Fourth Region Army commander Lt Gen Santi Sakuntanak.

Lt Gen Santi, who is also director of Isoc Region 4, said yesterday that security officials are gathering evidence before filing a second complaint.

He declined to say how many people are named in the fresh complaint but said politicians are among those accused of violating the internal security law and the computer crime law. He did not identify the politicians allegedly involved.

“I can guarantee that those involved will face legal action,” he said.

Isoc’s Region 4 Forward Command sent its soldiers to file its first complaint with Pattani provincial police on Friday.

The complaint concerns a June 7 seminar at the Prince of Songkla University’s Pattani campus, in which members of Pelajar Bangsa, or the “national student movement”, simulated a referendum on the deep South separating from the rest of the country.

It was reported that more than 10 individuals, including students and politicians, were found to be involved in the controversial seminar, which was considered a breach of the constitution, Criminal Code and the Computer Act.

According to a source, five people were named in the first complaint, including a politician, a student activist and a civic group leader.