The six were among 91 men arrested yesterday morning during a massive police operation in the Park Lane, 100 Lane and Cassava Piece communities.

The St Andrew North police report that they were assisted by members of the Joint Task Force, Area Five Police, Flying Squad, Mobile Reserve, Canine Division and the Police Search Centre in the operation, which started approximately 3:30 yesterday morning and continued for some six hours.

Several of the persons arrested were processed and released.

Thugs from the Jamaica Labour Party-aligned Park Lane and the People's National Party enclave of 100 Lane have been at odds over the past two months, with several reports of shootings.

Two Sundays ago, residents reported an almost hour-long gun battle in the area as the gangsters squared off.

Fragile peace

This marked the official end of the fragile peace which existed for months between the two traditional enemies.

In 2002, a flare up of violence resulted in the killing of seven people and the burning of a housing block on 100 Lane. Days later, four persons from Park Lane were killed by gunmen said to be from 100 Lane.

Those were just two of a number of violent incidents in the neighbouring communities over the years.