BANGKOK Sept 8 Thail and's police chief has come under fire for deporting the leader of the Al Arqam Islams sect last week and the Interior Minister wants him to explain his actions, reports AP

Interior Minister Chavtlit Yongchsiyudh on Wednesday ordered Police Chief Pratin Santiprapop lo submit a writ ten-report explaining wh> he deported Ashaari Muhammad without ministry * approval said Chavalit Wichayasirt. a ministry official

Police Capt. Ailya Panthujuk said Pratin had not received the request and therefore had yet to respond.

Pratin ordered Ashaari s deportation last Friday.