The fatal shooting of a soldier at an army base in Yala’s Muang district on Sunday was carried out by his colleague, not by southern insurgents as had been widely reported, the International Security Operation Command (Isoc) said yesterday.
Pramote Prom-in, Isoc’s Region 4 forward command spokesman, said an investigation revealed Sgt Wanchana Konsin of Yala Task Force 16 in tambon Po-seng was shot and killed about 2.30am on Sunday by Private Athiwat Thaopanwong of the same unit.
The motive for the killing was believed to be work stress, he said.
Pvt Athiwat had been sent to Yala police station to be charged, Col Pramote said.
As a result of the killing, the command has come up with measures to reduce stress among its soldiers, he said.
These include ensuring soldiers take time off and receive welfare support.
He added the army’s medical centre will also provide monthly assessments of stress among troops.
Meanwhile, Narathiwat Teachers’ Federation president, Sanguan Intarak, yesterday called on authorities to step up security for teachers in the deep South.
The call came after the murder of Somsri Thanyaluck, a teacher at Bankhok Mueba Mittraphap 223 School, who was gunned down while driving home in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district on Thursday.
Mr Sanguan said the killing had triggered fear among local teachers, as incidents of violence against educators have become more frequent.
One of the school’s teachers had recently requested to leave over fears of violence, he said.
Security measures for teachers must be tightened so they feel safe enough to work, he said.
The federation also called on school executives to quickly wrap up their work during school holidays to allow teachers to work at home for their own safety, he said.
The Federation of the Three Southern Border Provinces Teachers yesterday met in Pattani’s Muang district to work on requests to the government for more help for teachers.`