DESPITE NUMEROUS criticisms and the emergence of what appears to be a split in the Peace Management Initiative (PMI) over a statement issued earlier this week, the peace facilitation body yesterday had an emergency meeting after which its members came out a united bunch.

In a statement yesterday, the PMI resolved "to intensify its commitment to the reduction of conflict, relying on the support and goodwill of the communities, which it has enjoyed since it was established some five years ago."

Horace Levy, senior PMI member, said the PMI stands by its statement that it believes guns are rapidly being accumulated in some communities and may be used during the upcoming general election. Mr. Levy also added that all members of the PMI shared the views expressed in the statement and that their real concern was the way the statement was handled by media.

According to Mr. Levy, two members took issue with the use of the word "stockpiling" used by sections of the media.

The statement issued Tuesday said: "What the PMI is hearing is that lethal weapons are accumulating rapidly in the inner city and across the island, the signs are indisputable that they exist in the wrong hands and can be used for political ends."

Informed sources

Denham Town and Rockfort have been listed by informed sources as areas the PMI believes to be accumulating weapons.

However, like the Police High Command, the leadership of both the Kingston East and West divisions of the Jamaica Constabulary Force are baffled by the statement which said guns are being accumulated in some communities.

Head of the Kingston West Police Division, Superintendent Delroy Hewitt, told The Gleaner that he has no evidence of any accumulation and movement of arms in his division, which includes Tivoli Gardens, Denham Town, Jones Town, Rema and Arnett Gardens.