Thai junta accuses 3-fingered Khon Kaen student activists hired to protest

The military claimed that Khon Kaen three-fingered activists were hired by local politicians to discredit the junta leader and urged students not to use emotion to follow the anti-coup after several groups of student activists join hands in denouncing the junta’s martial law.
 
Maj Gen Kampanat Ruddit, the deputy Army Chief-of-Staff said on Monday that five Khon Kaen students from Dao Din group, who were arrested for waving three fingers and wearing t-shirts with the message reads ‘No Coup’ during Prayuth’s, the head of the junta, visit in the northern province of of Khon Kaen on 19 November, were hired by local politicians.
 
Although he did not present any  proof to support his allegations, he added that the imposition of the martial law is necessary and does not harm ‘good people’.
 
“As many people are trying to call for an end of the martial law, I confirm that the martial law is necessary for the military operates, but the normal law will be enforced by the police primarily. Urgent works that need to be done will be handled by the military and the martial law is not harming good people. We have to operate things correctly,” Maj Gen Kampanat was quoted by the Daily News.
 
On the same day, the Army spokesperson Col Wintai Suwari urged students not to use emotions, but to use logic to restrain themselves from anti-junta activities.
 
“As for the law enforcement, the authority primarily enforce normal law first not just referring to the martial law always as people understand. I confirm that it is only enforced when necessary. I don’t want people to disagree base on emotion or following to current. I urge people to look at it with principles and current necessities in every dimensions,” said Col Wintai.
 
Meanwhile, Sasipapa Raisanguan, a member of Dao Din denied the allegation, saying that the group has tracked record of human rights activity and that they held the activity because they wanted to show disapproval toward the coup and the martial law. 
 
The group on Monday submitted an urgent letter to the National Human Rights Commission that they were falsely accused by the Army. 
 
On 19 November, the military arrested and detained five Khon Kaen students from Dao Din, student activist group based in Khon Kaen University, for flashing three-fingered salute to defy the junta during Prayuth’s speech at Khon Kaen Provincial Hall.
 
After the arrest, many student associations countrywide and many Thai people overseas symbolically protested against the junta with the three-fingered salutes and put up banners and distributed leaflets to condemn junta’s suppression of basic rights.    
 

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