Bank
accounts under probe
Key dam protest leaders targeted
The Nation, July 31, 2000
The government has ordered the
examination of bank accounts belonging to key leaders of the Assembly of
the Poor, to see if they have received overseas funding to support their
protest against dam construction.
Reliable police sources said an initial examination had failed to
uncover any unusual transactions.
The accounts checked included that of Wanida Tantiwitthayapitak,
adviser to the Assembly of the Poor.
Mrs Wanida has been assisting Pak Moon villagers in their campaign to
demand that the government open the sluice gates of Pak Moon dam to allow
fish to spawn upstream.
Sources said investigators had still to examine some bank accounts
located upcountry.
The government has claimed international non-governmental organisations
and certain protest leaders were making use of the northeastern villagers
to promote their own interests and attract financial donations from
overseas. Protest leaders have vehemently denied the allegation. |
