KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 2001 — At least 28 people were killed and dozens more injured in gun battles which broke out in a poor area of the capital, Kingston, over the weekend of July 7-8. The dead included two police officers and a soldier. Following the recent gun battle, the Rev Courtney Stewart, General Secretary of the Bible Society of the West Indies, said that prayers are needed for a sense of peace and calm to be restored.
At least 28 people were killed and dozens more injured in gun battles which broke out in a poor area of the capital, Kingston, over the weekend of July 7-8. The dead included two police officers and a soldier. Following the recent gun battle, the Rev Courtney Stewart, General Secretary of the Bible Society of the West Indies, said that prayers are needed for a sense of peace and calm to be restored.
On Sunday night the Prime Minister, P J Patterson, said the violence had been started by criminal gangs. He denied claims of political motivation, saying it was fuelled by criminal activity. He later ordered the army onto the streets because there was "a clear challenge to our security forces by paramilitary groups."
Mr. Stewart described the situation as "pretty bad". As the shooting raged over the weekend and into Monday roadblocks were mounted at various points in the city and by the afternoon most businesses began to shut. "We had to close down on Monday and the staff had to find their way home - those who were able to come to work in the first place, "said Stewart.
He said that from his home he could hear sporadic gunfire but the roads were deserted and he thought most people at that time were "glued to the television and radio trying to ascertain what was happening in the city - albeit a small part of the city."
On Tuesday the city remained largely closed while MPs met business leaders in an effort to find a solution to the violence which has beset Kingston for several years. Prayer meetings were held that evening in several districts and on Wednesday the Bible Society was able to reopen.
Mr. Stewart expressed the fear that there may be more trouble ahead, however.
"From all indications," he said, "everything is not over. This is but a lull in the turmoil.
"We need continued prayers that the Lord will restore a sense of peace and calm to those in the affected communities and that our leaders will rise to the challenge of putting the welfare of the people - all the people - over narrow political allegiances."
Source: United Bible Societies
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