Provincial police reprimanded for indifference to prevent clashes
BANGKOK, July 25 (TNA) – National Police Chief Pacharawat Wongsuwan warned Friday he would take disciplinary actions against provincial police officers who failed to prevent clashes or violence between conflicting activists in their political demonstrations.
Pol. Gen. Pacharawat' harsh announcement came on the heels of two separate clashes between pro- and anti-government activists in the northeastern provinces of Udon Thani and Buri Ram -- the incidents he described as a "dear lesson" for the local police.
He blamed them for their indifference to the situations and announced that wrongders must be arrested.
Hundreds of protestors of the so-called Udon Thani Guard Group on Thursday stormed into the People’s Alliance of Democracy-led rally in the province and demolished its stage. Some chased and beaten up the PAD supporters, causing two of them serious injuries.
Udon Thani provincial governor Supoj Laowansiri on Friday expressed concerns over the confrontation following a similar event in Buri Ram.
He said 15 people were injured in the melee but no one was beaten to dead as earlier reported. Four of the injured victims were hospitalised.
Meanwhile, Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said it was a regret that such a violence took place during the demonstration. He called on the government to hunt for those masterminding the attack.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Theerachai Saenkaew strongly denied his involvement in the clash following a report that his brother was the anti-PAD group leader. (TNA)
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