Angelo Laurence, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

The dramatic increase in murders in the parish over the last four months, which has drawn national attention, has heightened the call for Government to resume hanging by the majority of the members of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. The call to hang convicted murderers is also supported by Mayor of Mandeville, Brenda Ramsay, who said the killings have left members of the Mandeville community in fear.

However, it was the daylight murders last month of three persons in the Mandeville market, only yards away from the town's police station and court house, that resulted in the residents and business community demanding to know the reason(s) for the sudden rise in murders.

Persons on the ground and vendors in the market told The Gleaner, that criminals from Spanish Town and Kingston attached to the Clansman and One Order gangs are responsible for the upsurge. They said, the gangsters have taken root in the Greenvale and Hatfield communities, where a taxi operator was shot and killed last Tuesday night after what they claimed was a gang feud over turf.

Control fight

A woman vendor who claims to be selling in the market for the last 15 years, told The Gleaner that members of the One Order and Clansman gangs established their presence in the parish during the last general election. She said "dem a kill dem self" over who is to be in control since one of the main leaders went to prison. However, the police high command dismissed the allegations as unfounded.

However, to a surprised audience at the Mandeville Hotel, last Thursday, the vendors were supported in their claim by retired Senior Superintendent of Police, Renato Adams.

SSP Adams, who was addressing members of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said "the One Order and Clansman" gangs are in the town along with other criminals from outside. He called on the residents not to allow Mandeville to be taken over by these men.

While making it clear that he was not saying how, SSP Adams suggested that these men must be taken out "before they get rid of you" adding that "if it means the final getting rid of" he has no problem with that.

There have been 43 murders in the parish since the start of the year with seven committed in a two-week period in July.

The Gleaner was unable to get a comment from the Mandeville Police and was told the person who could talk with the press was not available.