BANGKOK, Thailand – The National Security Council (NSC) announced Tuesday (March 5th) that it will consult with the militant group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) about whether to lift the Emergency Decree in parts of the Deep South provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, local media reported.
The Bangkok Post reported that this would be the first formal meeting between the government and the separatist group since the two parties signed a deal last week to hold peace talks in Malaysia. The dialogue is expected to begin within the next two weeks.
According to The Nation, the areas under consideration are Kapho district in Pattani, Betong and Kabang districts in Yala, and Waeng and Sukhirin districts in Narathiwat.
The proposal to impose the more lenient Internal Security Act was made based on a recommendation Monday by the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), which said the five districts should be exempted from the emergency law because reports of violence have been rare.
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