State of Emergency in Downtown, Kingston as Dudus supporters  engage security forces

Bruce Golding

Golding, in his radio address to the nation at 8:30 p.m., said under the state of emergency which was declared earlier today, security forces will be allowed to limit freedom, search property and detain people without a warrant.

He said while there will be some inconveniences, the move is necessary to restore order to the city which was under darkness (due to a power outage). “Criminal elements bent on violence and mayhem will be detained and processed. The criminal elements who have placed the society under seige will not be allowed to triumph,” Golding said.

He added that the security forces should allow regular citizens to go about their business, and assured Jamaicans that the city is not under total lockdown.

But, he said security forces need to “ferret out the criminals and return the area to a state of calm.”

He said the criminal elements will be “repelled with strong and decisive action” and urged residents to remain calm and support the necessary security measures.

Golding said his government believes that Jamaica should be a land of peace and order and that it was such acts of criminality that earned Jamaica the “unenviable title” as one of the murder capitals of the world.

Schools will be back in full session on Tuesday, the prime minister said.