|
AOP blames Egat workers for fiery
clash
The Nation
November 21, 2000
THE Assembly of the Poor (AOP) yesterday demanded that the government
bring to justice the group that on Sunday forcibly evicted Pak Mool Dam
protesters, injuring 30 villagers and torching makeshift wooden shelters in
Ubon Ratchathani province.
The assembly issued a statement saying the Electricity Generating
Authority of Thailand (Egat) was behind the "barbaric and
undemocratic" act that showed the people that they were being ruled by
fascists.
It also condemned the police for permitting the violence and demanded
that the government punish them and the Egat workers who had masterminded
the incident. The assembly is seeking compensation for the destruction of
600 wooden shelters along with personal belongings.
Egat public-relations department chief Amnat Chotchuang rejected the
allegations and denied that Egat had any involvement in the incident. He
said no one could get into the shelters because of the villagers' strict
security system.
He said his staff had told him that 60 Egat employees hired as security
at the dam site had asked the villagers to remove a few wooden shelters from
an area where a high-voltage power line was connected. The villagers agreed
and dismantled their shelters in the morning, he said.
He said he did not know how the violence erupted. "We never
considered dispersing the protesters, as we saw no benefit. Had we wanted we
would have done it long ago. The fire may have been an accident caused by
the shelters' shabby condition," he said.
AOP adviser Nanthachot Chairat said the assembly would continue to fight
the construction of the Pak Mool Dam on behalf of those affected by it and
other development projects.
The evicted villagers, led by Amnuay Hanparab, yesterday sought help from
Senators Dr Chemsak Pinthong (Bangkok), Pichet Pattanachot (Nakhon
Ratchasima) and Somboon Thongburan (Yasothon).
Chermsak said he advised the villagers to file a complaint with the
Ombudsman and House Committee on Justice. He criticised PM's Office Minister
Sawit Bhotiwihok for his silence over the incident, calling it tacit
approval of Egat's barbaric act. Pichet said he would put the matter under
the scrutiny of the House Committee on Local Administration.
National Police Bureau deputy commissioner Gen Sant Saruttanon vowed to
take action against the culprits. "It does not matter whether the
villagers had the right to build their shelters on the restricted area or
not. The arsonists and those who destroyed the shelters should face legal
action," he said.
BY PONGSAK BAI-NGERN,
PENNAPA HONGTHONG and
PRAPASRI OSATHANON |
