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| Southeast Asia |
| Police hunt two suspects who killed hero officer in southern Thailand |
| 2010-03-16 |
| Police are hunting for two men suspected of killing Bannang Sata police chief Colonel Sompian Eksomya, fatally wounding a senior sergeant major, and injuring two other officers at Yala in the deep South last Friday. The suspects were identified as Matorhae Silae, 31, and Yukeebeulee Jehdeemae, 31. Both are also wanted for a number of other security-related crimes. Police believe the suspects went into hiding along the borders shared by Bannang Sata and Krong Pinang districts after they staged the bomb attack and opened fire on Somphian's pickup last Friday. Sompian was killed in the attack along with Pol Sen Sgt Major Sophon Intaraboworn. Two other police on patrol in the same pickup were also hurt. Sompian worked hard for the safety of locals in his area throughout his career. The 59-year-old had been based in the deep South for four decades and his dedication had won him love and respect from local people. Sophon's widow Somjit said her husband had intended to serve until he retired or received a posting elsewhere. Funeral rites will be held at Wat Phutthaphum, a royal monastery, in Yala. "I don't want to see such tragedy strike any other family. I hope people in the deep South will have love for one another and stay united. Please look at the policemen who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation," Somjit said. The National Police Bureau has offered Bt440,000 in compensation to Somjit's family in addition to financial assistance for his funeral. Sophon will also be awarded the rank of police colonel with a posthumous salary rise (for his pension). Somjit will be recruited to the police force and assigned to clerical duty. Her 14-year-old son, Natthanon, will get scholarships until he earns a bachelor's degree. He will have the right to join the police force if he wishes. "I want to be a policeman like my dad. I want to serve the country," Natthanon said. Sophon was clearly not the last victim in the ongoing wave of violence in the deep South. Late on Sunday night, Pol Sen Sgt Major Jehsoh Hayeesamoh was shot dead just as he was preparing to leave a teashop close to his home in Pattani's Mayo district. Jehsoh, 54, was shot twice. Witnesses said his attackers rushed at him on two motorcycles and shot him in the head. "After he fell down, they fired another shot to make sure he was really dead," a witness said. "They also took away his gun". At the time of the shooting, there were more than 20 customers in the teashop. |
| Posted by:ryuge |