Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered a fact-finding committee to investigate Wissanu Lertsongkhram, the deputy district chief of Tha Uthen district of Nakhon Phanom, one of the defendants in the expired Tak Bai massacre case, after he reported to work on Monday.
Wissanu took business leave for six days ahead of the expiry of the statute of limitations on the Tak Bai case on October 25th. He is one of the seven junior officials charged separately for alleged involvement in the massacre.
Anutin said today that the committee will look into why Wissanu did not report to work after his business leave was cancelled by his boss when a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Narathiwat court.
He also said that the deputy district chief could not be fired, because he had been absent without leave for only six days, nine days short of the 15-day absentee period which would justify dismissal.
Asked whether Wissanu will be transferred to Tak Bai district of Narathiwat, the minister laughed before saying that he would be accused of interfering in the administrative affairs of the Interior Ministry if he issued such an order, adding that it is the responsibility of the interior permanent secretary.
He pointed out that that he would have to adhere strictly to the rules if any of the retired interior officials among the fugitives re-emerge after the expiry of the statute of limitations.
Relatives of the deceased have suggested that the returning fugitives should be stripped of their pensions, as a punishment for their refusal to stand trial.
