In light of a controversial incident at a recent sports day occasion in the Panare district of the deep south province of Pattani, the Internal Security Operations Command’s (ISOC) Region four Forward Command is reportedly getting ready to take legal action. This follows the child exploitation allegations as children had been paraded holding images of deceased insurgents. The sight has sparked social unrest, especially given the already-high tensions in the Deep South.
The sports day, a collective endeavour by the Ban Nam Bo Tambon Administrative Organisation, Tadika Club, and a selection of private and non-private enterprises, noticed a substantial number of students from fifty three local schools participating.
Troublingly, amongst Spoiler , a bunch of youngsters aged between seven and eight years old collaborating within the opening parade have been famous holding photographs of nine deceased insurgents, alongside their brief biographies written in Arabic. Their traditional Malay costumes solely added to the gravitas of the scenario that many are calling child exploitation.
Major General Pramote Prom-in, serving dual roles as the deputy commander of the 4th Army and the deputy director of Isoc’s Region 4 Forward Command, expressed his concern over this unsettling alleged youngster exploitation gesture, figuring out it as a conspicuous act of honouring the separatists. Public and media reactions echo his sentiments, criticising the event organisers.
Pramote make clear the investigation’s findings, indicating that the controversial show was premeditated by a sure group of Imams and spiritual academics. These people had been beforehand associated with an insurgent faction and have been incarcerated on November 28, 2014, earlier than their eventual launch.
“At least three of them still assist the separatist group. They also teach kids and youths to be towards local authorities in every way attainable. We will name them for questioning as part of a authorized process. We will work with Pattani Provincial Police to gather evidence to press expenses in opposition to the wrongdoers for using children in a method that violates the Child Protection Act.”
ISOC’s Region 4 Forward Command has instructed various agencies, together with the Southern Peace Centre and the Bureau of Public Relations and Special Affairs. The purpose is to forge mutual comprehension with Tambon Administrative Organisations, community pioneers, village heads, and Imams whilst guaranteeing the activities remain suitable and not bordering on child exploitation sooner or later.
In order to impede any exploitative endeavours, a joint consensus has been reached over the rules for children-involved events by the ISOC, Agricultural Land Reform Office and the Office of the Private Education Commission.
In mild of efforts to handle the problem at its core, Pramote emphasised the importance of instilling understanding among the young ones, reported Bangkok Post. In a resolute manner, he known as upon civil groups to sentence those that use kids for his or her partisan political features..