OPPOSITION LEADER Edward Seaga yesterday questioned the conduct of the security forces in the conflict involving rival gangs from People's National Party (PNP) strongholds in West Kingston and Central Kingston.
"How is it that the police and soldiers are not out in their numbers the way they were when far less happened in Western Kingston proper?," Mr. Seaga asked.
"It is really something to be noted because it seems that they are standing by without taking a proactive position."
Mr. Seaga, who was addressing journalists at Belmont Road, suggested that this indicated a difference in the way various communities are treated when violence breaks out.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has maintained that the July 7-10 conflict in West Kingston, which left 27 people dead, was orchestrated by the PNP and designed to tarnish the image of Mr. Seaga, who is the MP for the area. Mr. Seaga yesterday again charged that the security forces unduly held the Tivoli Gardens community under siege thereby violating the rights of the residents.
Despite a curfew imposed on the downtown areas between Friday night and yesterday - days when the current wave of violence had heightened - the clashes continued between what is said to be between rival gangs from Tel Aviv and Matthews Lane in West Kingston.
Mr. Seaga said the JLP would not get involved in the conflict because it was between warring gangs connected to the PNP.
