The group of mostly women and children gathered at Ban Bajoh School at around 1pm to force out some 30 border police of Unit 3201 stationed there.

Many protesters wore black headscarves and covered their faces as they stood in front of the school. Some carried posters that read "Bad soldiers must get out" and "You killed innocent people, you are terrorists in the deep South", while many shouted their demands that the police be removed.

Authorities have deployed about 200 armed forces personnel in the area to control the situation and negotiate with the group. Officials found many nails on the way to the school and suspect militants may have laid the spikes to keep them from entering the area.

The Army flew a helicopter over the school to inspect the location and take pictures of the protest.

Local residents in the district's Ban Bajoh demanded the removal of police from the area after the murder of Isman Sama on November 3. Some believe police officers might have been involved in the killing.

The demonstration ended at 6pm when authorities promised to withdraw the police unit by today.

As negotiations ended most of protesters got into pick-up trucks and drove quickly away. Official believe many were not Bajoh residents but came from other areas to help pressure the authorities.

Conflicts between security officials and local residents take place quite often in the restive South due to a lack of trust on both sides. Protests sometimes end in tragedy.

The government is still struggling to contain the violence that has rocked the deep South since the beginning of 2004, claiming more than 1,700 lives.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont made an emotional plea and apology last week in a bid to end the violence.

The Nation

Yala