Claims of army abuse in Hannah Town

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

The scene in Hannah Town yesterday was typical of most communities in war-torn west Kingston. Armed military and police teams patrolled littered streets which were occupied by angry residents, who said they were leaving their homes for the first time in four days.

"This is not a state of emergency, this is a calling emergency," said a buxom woman at the corner of Hannah Street.

Three persons, including a security guard known only as 'Prince', have reportedly been killed in Hannah Town. Residents said he was killed on Tuesday while going to take a bath outdoors along Hannah Street where he lived.

They claimed he was shot by security personnel who were stationed atop the nearby Blood Bank building.

Most residents who spoke to The Gleaner described the three-day gunfight between security forces and thugs as their most frightening experience.

Many said they were hungry; others accused soldiers of verbal and physical abuse.

"Wi feel hopeless, things nuh right. Today, me eat a piece o' bun an' dat a the first thing me eat inna days," said Christopher (surname withheld), a 42-year-old tailor who lives at Rose Lane.

Harsh words for the military

A group of women gathered at the Hannah Town Police Station which was destroyed by fire on Sunday. They had harsh words for the military.

"Dem tek man out o' dem house, beat dem an' mek dem clean dem shoes," one of the women screamed.

The burning of the Hannah Town Police Station was the first major hostile incident in west Kingston five days ago. An assault on Tivoli Gardens was launched by the military and the police on Monday morning as they tried to nab don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who was believed to be hiding there.

Coke is wanted in the United States on charges of arms and drug trafficking. His influence in west Kingston is not limited to Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town, which have fanatical ties to the governing Jamaica Labour Party.

Police say Coke has strong support in Hannah Town and Matthews Lane, which traditionally back the People's National Party.