Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
KINGSTON BUSINESSMAN Tana Shirley has gone on the offensive in his bid to have a group of illegal settlers removed from his 40-acre beachfront property in Mammee Bay, St. Ann.
Since Tuesday, heavily armed private security personnel along with guard dogs have taken up positions on the property while workmen have been making preparations to construct a chain-link fence.
A tractor has also begun to clear the land of bushes while the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) has disconnected all electricity supply to squatter dwellings.
The land which adjoins the Sandals Dunn's River property has been earmarked for major tourism development but one section is occupied by over 40 families, some of whom say they have been living there for nearly 20 years.
'OVER OUR DEAD BODY'
Several attempts by Mr. Shirley to get the residents off the property have been met with strong resistance, with some threatening to put their 'lives on the line.' The squatters have been adamant that any attempts to remove them would be met with stiff resistance, some even threatening to "mash up the tourism sector."
The most recent action taken by the squatters was to get a court injunction, preventing any attempt to remove them following the expiration of an eviction notice which was served on them in February and expired on March 31. The injunction is in force until May 17, when the parties are expected to return to court.
Security consultant to Mr. Shirley, Captain Bobby Smith, said he would be limiting his repossession of the property to the boundaries of the five-acre portion occupied by the residents until the court makes a ruling.
The repossession exercise took place under the watchful eyes of heavily armed police personnel drawn from the St. Ann division under the command of Deputy Superintendent Anthony Castell and police from the Mobile Reserve Unit.
