By Devon Evans, Gleaner WriterRUNAWAY BAY, St. Ann:
THE ARREST of popular St. Ann businessman Norris Nembhard, better known as 'Deedo', by Narcotics police yesterday morning triggered a major protest by residents in Salem, near Runaway Bay, St. Ann.
The busy Salem to Runaway Bay main road was blocked for several hours, creating a huge traffic snarl, while protesters chanted for the release of Nembhard.
"Wey him do?" they repeatedly asked. "A good man dat. Free the man. Free the man," they chanted.
According to the residents, Nembhard, who has a business place in Salem, was one of the best persons in the community. They described him as 'a kind person' who assisted them in times of hardship.
The police were on the scene quickly but had problems clearing the roadblocks. Residents, by that time, already had blocked the road with two disabled trucks, reportedly owned by Nembhard, as well as a huge pile of debris. They also used fires to burn tyres.
ROAD CLEARED
By 2:30 p.m., however, the police team, led by Deputy Superintendent Anthony Castell, was able to clear the road with the use of a wrecker and a tractor, said to be owned by Nembhard.
Scores of visitors travelling to and from Montego Bay, St. James, were badly inconvenienced, with several missing their flights.
A strong contingent of police drawn from the Special Anti-Crime Task Force and the St. Ann Division, fearing further unrest, was still maintaining a strong presence in Salem up to press time.
Meanwhile over in Claremont, some 25 miles away, where Nembhard is originally from, attempts were made by some persons to block the Claremont to St. Ann's Bay main road but these were quickly quelled by the police.
