By Ifeyinwa Ogwo :
No fewer than 36 persons including 24 children were gruesomely killed in a knife and gun rampage by an ex-cop who later killed himself at a Daycare Center in Uthai Sawan, northeast of Bangkok.
The massacre which was one of the worst child death tolls by a single killer in recent history necessitated Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-Cha to order law enforcement agencies to tighten gun ownership rules and crackdown drug uses.
Prayut, who spoke through the spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri, noted that all relevant authorities have been instructed to search and test for the use of illicit drugs among officials and communities as well step up treatment for addicts.
He further ordered government registrars to revoke the gun licenses of registered owners who have reportedly behaved wayward, clamping down on illegal gun sales and use of illegal firearms.
In his word, the Chief General of Police, Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that the agency will recall guns from officials and police officers who have misused their firearms or have behaved aggressively on duty.
“We will also ensure that gun license applicants and holders undergo regular mental health checks.”
