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Published on February 7, 2008

The Central Islamic Committee had proposed the idea for an arms-free zone, suggesting tough punishment for those who retained weapons in the zone after a grace period of three months.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is reported to support the proposal. "It is good if we can implement such a plan to disarm all parties," Anupong said.

"I will prepare information for the prime minister to make the decision."

However, when asked if government-armed security volunteers should also be disarmed and return their weapons to the government, he said: "No, the volunteers never hold weapons to kill anybody but to defend their villages - there is nothing wrong with that."

Retired general Pallop Pinmanee, former adviser to the director of Internal Security Operation Command, said he disagreed with the arms-free idea, saying the situation would be worse as civilians would not have weapons for self-protection.

"If we disarm residents, it means you allow only insurgents to have weapons," he said. "The government should think about this."

Since violence erupted in the three southernmost provinces in 2004, more than 2,800 people have died. Pallop said the situation deteriorated during the 16 months of military-installed government led by General Surayud Chulanont. Events were even worse than during the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, he said.

An explosion yesterday at a Chinese shrine in Pattani's Sai Buri district killed one marine and injured seven others, including two civilians.

Insurgents hid a bomb inside a motorcycle left about 10 metres from the shrine and detonated it when 12 soldiers were guarding the area.

Chief Petty Officer Second Class Viroj Thinsuwan died shortly after being admitted to hospital, police said.

The injured civilians were fish traders Koseng Chukama and Tuanya Kreeya.

The Nation