By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter SCORES OF people, mainly women and children, were beaten and chased out of their homes in Arnett Gardens, south St. Andrew, yesterday morning by marauding gunmen who accused them of being spies or informers for opposing gang members.
Sections of the community erupted yesterday, as rival gangs got involved in a fierce gunbattle.
At least seven schools that were in close proximity, including Charlie Smith High, were forced to close their doors. Fearful residents stayed away from their jobs and remained indoors.
Several homes were broken into and electrical appliances and other items stolen. The regular route taxis suspended their services as the affected area was transformed into a ghost town. The only signs of life were people peeping over fences and pockets of persons gathered at various points discussing the problem.
Sonia Edwards, a 40-year-old mother of nine, said she was attacked and beaten by gunmen who gave her less than 24 hours to leave her home which is located in the 'Pegasus' area, near Collie Smith Drive.
A 78-year-old woman said her family was given until the end of yesterday to leave their home on Crooks Street, Jones Town.
"A dem same man dem who kill me son pon Good Friday, a sey we fe leave the area," the elderly woman told The Gleaner yesterday.
When a Gleaner news team visited 'Brooklyn' an emotional 22-year-old woman told a story of how she was hit with a piece of iron pipe across her back and shoulder. A number of other persons were beaten and told to leave the area.
Acting Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas said at least two women with similar complaints turned up at his office yesterday morning. He proposed to put measures in place to prevent reprisals.
MASSIVE INVASION
Yesterday, residents were awakened by a barrage of gunfire between 6:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. By 9:00 a.m., scores of gunmen were reportedly invading homes and chasing away residents in the 'Brook-lyn', Crooks Street, 'Angola' and 'Pegasus' areas of the community.
Allegations are that the authority of the once powerful 'Bi-bow' posse is now being challenged by members of the wider community, including some of their own who defected and joined forces with the rival gang.
Residents told The Gleaner yesterday that men loyal to the Bi-bow posse were responsible for the beating and chasing out of the residents. The Gleaner also understands that up to late yesterday evening, Paul Burke, former People's National Party (PNP) Region Three chairman, was among other persons meeting with rival factions of the community.
