Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
THE LOCAL fire department had to respond to a fire call from residents, after demonstrators set ablaze garbage receptacles and tyres, close to an electrical pole at Janga Gully road in Portland.
The demonstrators were protesting the untimely death of Constantine Edwards, a retired school teacher who plunged to his death over the Janga Gully bridge, while riding his bicycle at 8:30 p.m. last Sunday. The bridge had crumbled in October.
Even in the face of heavy security presence, the residents remained adamant that the roadblocks would be remounted even if it is cleared by the lawmen, until the authorities respond to their cries.
RETIRED TEACHER
The protesters used boulders, old motor vehicles, garbage receptacles and other debris to block sections of Halls Avenue, Boundbrook, Rice Piece and Janga Gully. The protesters took to the street as early as 7:30 a.m. on Monday in large numbers. The bunch grew to a formidable size as news spread in the community about the death of the retired teacher. Soon, vehicular traffic had to be diverted. The police managed to clear the roadblock later that evening.
One resident who stayed clear of Monday's demonstration, Karlyn Foreman, was forced to turn off the power switch at her three bedroom house, as fire lit by the irate protesters had started to scorch the power lines leading to her house.
TURN THE POWER OFF
"The lights were going on and off in my house," Ms. Foreman said. "In fear that my house could be burnt down and leave me and my family homeless, I had to turn the power switch off."
Meanwhile, the authorities have not yet responded to the outcries from the protesters, and based on the mood in the Janga Gully and Boundbrook areas, the protest action could resume any time soon until the situation is addressed.
The body of the retired teacher was discovered by a passer-by who spotted the body with both feet hanging in mid air and the head and hands buried in the waters of the nearby river. An alarm was made and the body was removed and taken to the Port Antonio Hospital.
