Some 1,000 Muslims, mostly women, stage a five-hour demonstration outside of the Fourth Army Area’s forward command headquarters in Pattani yesterday demanding a troop withdrawal and release of all suspected militants.

They began gathering at about 9am to call for the release of all detained suspects they believe to be innocent, including 24 arrested in Yala more than a week ago.

Another group of 200 Muslims staged a similar demonstration in Yala's Bannang Sata district.

The Pattani protesters also called on the government to lift a curfew and a number of laws that allowed officials to arrest innocent people.

In a statement, they said the government should not force the mass media to distort the situation in the restive South.

The Army deployed troops to protect Ingkhayuthaborihan Camp, headquarters of the Fourth Army Area's forward command.

Soldiers prepared water cannons for use against protesters if they moved into the compound.

A helicopter dropped leaflets claiming demonstrators were lured by militants to create trouble.

An official spoke over a loudspeaker to urge representatives of the group to speak with officials, but the suggestion was loudly rejected.

At about 11.30am, the protesters moved away from the compound to downtown Pattani, where they submitted their demands to representatives of Pattani's Islamic Committee before dispersing peacefully.

Authorities believe demonstrations are a new tactic to create trouble in the predominantly Muslim region, where more than 2,100 people have died since January 4, 2004.

Fresh violence occurred yesterday morning in Pattani's Yaring district when a soldier was injured in a shooting while driving his vehicle at about 12.30am. Command Sgt-Major Nisit Photo, 51, was hit in his right arm and admitted to hospital.

Three hours later, two schools in the district were burned down.