By Garwin Davis, Assistant News EditorHAVING ALREADY extended the declared one month state of emergency arguably one of the darkest periods in the annals of local politics to nearly four months, the Government of the People's National Party (PNP), just two months prior to the December 16, 1976 general elections, again pushed for an extension, claiming it was in the best interest of national security.
In a submission to Cabinet on October 5, 1976, then Minister of National Security Keble Munn, noted that the state of emergency, declared by the then Governor-General Sir Florizel Glasspole on June 19, was bearing fruit in terms of curtailing criminal activities and should be extended for a further four months an extension which would carry it through the elections.
"As members will recall, the House of Representatives on the 14th of July, 1976, by a majority of all the members of the House, approved the continuation in force for 130 days of the Proclamation made by the Governor-General on the 19th of June, 1976, declaring a state of public emergency. This comes to an end on the 26th of October, 1976," he wrote.
The Security Minister continued: "I am satisfied that it is in the best interest of the country for the state of emergency to be extended for a further period of one hundred and twenty-five days. I therefore attach for Cabinet's consideration, a draft resolution seeking approval for the Proclamation made by the Governor-General on the 19th of June 19, 1976, to continue in force for a total period of two hundred and fifty-five days from that date. This period will expire on the 28th of February, 1977. Cabinet is accordingly invited to agree that the resolution as drafted should be introduced into the House of Representatives."
On advice of Cabinet, the Governor-General declared the state of emergency where the security forces were given instructions by the Government to use their power to detain and keep in detention persons considered threats to public safety and also to national security.
WIDESPREAD CRITICISM
In explaining the rationale, then Prime Minister Michael Manley, amid widespread criticism, particularly from the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which had accused the Government of trying to delay the election indefinitely, said that the violence in the country had increased to "a scale unique to our history."
"The security forces have been authorised to arrest and detain all persons whose activities are likely to endanger the public safety," Mr. Manley said. "The Government cannot stand by and allow this sabotage of the country to continue. It is important that the citizens should know that the proclamation of a state of emergency does not affect normal, lawful, day-to-day activities. Schools, businesses and public facilities would continue to function in a normal way."
Two days later, however, nine prominent persons, including two JLP candidates were detained. Those taken in were Ray Miles, a vice-president of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association and chairman of the Public Relations Department of the JLP; Victor Troupe, a JLP organiser, and Brian Williams and George Phang, both of Arnett Gardens. The others were Peter Whittingham, JLP candidate for Eastern St. Catherine; Ferdie Yap Sam, JLP candidate for West Central St. Andrew; Patrick Stephens, businessman and JLP organiser; and Edwin Singh, PNP caretaker for Southern Clarendon. Pearnel Charles and Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, two other prominent JLP politicians, were later detained.
Mr. Manley noted that the Government, being the lawfully and democratically elected constitutional authority, had to do everything in its power to stamp out what he called "the wanton and ruthless activities" taking place in the country.
"Over the past several months we have witnessed a type and scale of violence unique to our history. This has included terrorist activities previously unknown to us, which have driven fear and concern into the heart of every decent Jamaican citizen. We have seen for the first time children being armed. We have seen innocent people murdered in the privacy of their homes and on the streets. We have seen business places held up and robbed, offices and dwellings razed to the ground on a scale completely beyond anything in our experience," said Mr. Manley.
PLOT
He also spoke of a plot to "undermine confidence in the lawfully elected Government, and the established security forces of the nation."
Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, in dismissing Mr. Manley's claims as baseless, said: "A party which is confident of electoral victory has an interest in making sure that free, proper and normal elections are held, and as soon as possible. Such a party has no interest in nor desire for any violent overthrow of the Government."
Having gotten Parliament to extend the state of emergency which should have been lifted on the 14th of July a month after it was declared the Security Minister went to the House with the following on October 5, 1976:
"Whereas under the provisions of section 26 of the Constitution of Jamaica, hereinafter referred to as the Constitution, a Proclamation made by the Governor-General, for the purposes of and in accordance with that section, declaring that a state of public emergency exists shall, unless previously revoked, remain in force for one month or for such longer period, not exceeding twelve months, as the House of Representatives may determine by a resolution supported by the votes of a majority of all the members of the House."
PROCLAMATION
"And whereas the House of Representatives on the 14th day of July, 1976, by a majority of all the members of the House, approved the continuation in force for one hundred and thirty days of the Proclamation made by the Governor-General on the 19th day of June, 1976, declaring a state of public emergency."
"Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Jamaica House of Representatives, in accordance with section 26 of the Constitution, that the Emergency Proclamation shall remain in force for a period of two hundred and fifty-five days commencing with the 19th day of June, 1976."
The PNP went on to secure a second consecutive term in office, handily defeating the JLP in the process. Many, however, have not forgotten what transpired during the period of the state of emergency where persons, because of political affiliations or suspected connections, were indiscriminately detained, harassed and had their human rights violated. Mr. Manley would later retract comments made about plots to overthrow the Government, admitting that the crime problem was the real reason for calling the state of emergency.
