TEMPERS REMAINED high yesterday in the normally quiet community of Spaldings, Clarendon, where civil disobedience erupted on Saturday resulting in the death of a 16-year- old boy, several policemen and civilians being injured, and the police station damaged.
Dr. Peter Phillips, National Security Minister, has ordered an immediate investigation of the incident.
The disturbance came after the police refused to hand over three suspects to residents for them to mete out their brand of justice.
They claim that the men were responsible for a spate of crimes, including the recent murder of a woman in the area, but police say they have no evidence of it.
Supt. George Quallo head of the Manchester Police Division, was among the policemen injured.
The dead boy has been identified as John Farquharson of Sunberry. Among the civilians injured were Mark Roland of Darliston, Clarendon; Anthony Smith, of Dockery, Manchester, and Paul Byfield, an employee of CVM-TV who was filming the disturbance.
Reports are that more than 4,000 residents attacked the Spaldings police station, demanding that the lawmen release the three men.
"At one stage they attempted to set the station on fire. The tyres of eight service vehicles were slashed. They burnt beyond recognition, the car that the men were travelling in. I got injured during an attempt to address them," Supt. Quallo told The Gleaner yesterday.
Several senior police officers visited the home of the teenager last evening and spoke to his parents.
"We were there offering our condolence," said Supt. Quallo.
Reports are that the three men were travelling in a white Mazda 323 car. On reaching the Alston main road leading to Spaldings, they came to a blockade mounted by residents who were protesting the spate of crime in the community.
While clearing the blockade the villagers attacked them, accusing them of being gunmen and robbers.
One of the men who is a licensed firearm holder fired several shots, which allowed them to make a run for the Spaldings police station where they sought shelter.
The angry mob swooped down on the station, demanding their release. At one stage the police used tear gas to ease off the crowd.
Asst. Commissioner Lebert Lawrence of Mobile Reserve, was flown in by JDF helicopter to airlift the men to Mandeville.
During the attempt, the crowd became uncontrollable, resulting in three persons being shot, including the teenager who died, and extensive damage being done to the police station.
Police Commissioner Francis Forbes has instructed the Bureau of Special Investigation to investigate the shootings.
Reported by Staff Reporter Glenroy Sinclair and Spaldings Correspondent George Henry.
