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Investigations Commence into Incident at Flankers

October 26, 2003

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Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, said today that investigations have begun into the incident that took place in Flankers, St. James, yesterday (October 25), which left 2 persons dead.
In an interview with JIS News, the Minister said the demonstrations and blocking of roads have ceased, and members of the Security Forces were maintaining their presence in the area.
Dr. Phillips expressed condolences to the relatives and friends of the persons who lost their lives.The Minister pointed out that the Police have cleared the area and the situation was returning to normal.
“I think the country would want to be assured that the investigations have begun. The Police have been in touch with the families and are seeking to do whatever they can to help the families concerned, and of course that process is going to continue,” Dr. Phillips said.
At the same time, the Minister noted that the officers involved have been removed from frontline duties and the Commissioner has instructed that they be taken to Kingston, in order to allow the investigations to proceed and to be concluded speedily.
“I think it now remains for all persons of goodwill in the Flankers community and in the wider Montego Bay area, to work closely with the Police and with other citizens of goodwill, to ensure that normal activity returns quickly in the community to ensure that the economic life on which it depends, and on which the whole country depends, can be restored,” Dr. Phillips said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sports, Portia Simpson Miller, who is overseeing the Government in the absence of Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, issued a statement yesterday, ordering a thorough and immediate investigation into the incident at Flankers.
She has given instructions that both the independent Public Police Complaints Authority and the Bureau of Special Investigation involve themselves in the probe, to establish exactly what took place.
“No stone must be left unturned in getting to the heart of this regrettable matter, so that justice may be served,” the Minister said.
“We are all deeply saddened by this loss of lives,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said, and expressed condolences and sympathy to the relatives of the victims.

Last Updated: October 26, 2003

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