Thailand says 84 killed in riot at protest rally

Thailand's justice ministry said today 84 people had died after a protest in the Muslim south of the country.

Thailand's justice ministry said today 84 people had died after a protest in the Muslim south of the country.

The country stepped up efforts today to find the organisers of the rally in which protesters and soldiers were killed.

Police questioned 300 protesters held at a military barracks in Pattani, 700 miles south of Bangkok. Yesterday's clashes with security forces were the region's worst violence since April.

The predominantly Buddhist government says the violence, which has claimed at least 360 lives since January, appears to be fuelled by Muslim separatism, but it has yet to come up with a  plan to end it.

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During a six-hour standoff, troops and police in riot gear fired live rounds, as well as water cannon and tear gas, to disperse 1,500 protesters. Shots were also fired from the crowd, officials said.