Security stepped up in Songkhla

SONGKHLA, March 13 (TNA) -- Combined government forces on Sunday stepped up security measures in the southern province of Songkhla as the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) militants celebrate the 56th founding anniversary of the notorious group. Security measures in Songkhla have been increased especially in at Yai, Sadao districts and the provincial seat. Southern insurgent groups usually stage bloody violence to mark their important days. Government forces have set up more checkpoints in those three and four other districts in Songkhla and with roads linking with three border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. They also search suspicious looking vehicles in order to create confidence to foreign tourists visiting Hat Yai, considered as shopping paradise in the South. Police have been ordered to step up security measures until April because several important days are observed by the southern militants in that month. The BERSATU militants celebrate their statutes on April 26 while the Dusongyo Rebellion event is observed between April 25 – 28 and the Krue Se 12th anniversary incident in Pattani province. (TNA)