THE VIOLENCE that flared recently in Spanish Town, central St. Catherine, taking 12 lives in three days, was not caused by partisan politics, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson told a news briefing yesterday at his Devon Road office, Kingston 6.
"It was a fight between gangs ...for turf", he said, in dismissing an allegation by Edward Seaga, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, that it was sparked by People's National Party (PNP) forces to destabilise Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, (JLP), Member of Parliament for the constituency, and to divert attention from the state of the economy.
"It is easily the most ridiculous and preposterous statement that I have heard on this issue.
CRIMINAL TURF
"It was about a fight for criminal turf, not political turf," Mr. Patterson added, stating that his intelligence briefings did not suggest that it was a clash between rival political gangs, but was linked to criminal gangs involved in extortion.
The Prime Minister said he was "very concerned" about extortion and it was "very evident" at some building sites. He pointed out that the Government could not provide State security at every construction site. However, an Organised Crime Investigation Division was set up last June with special responsibility to go after gangs which were engaged in extortion. The Prime Minister said he had told the police that dismantling the gangs was their priority and that they should go after the leaders, whatever their political connections.
