For little more than a week, residents of 'Backland', lower Jones Avenue in Spanish Town, St Catherine, have been under attack from the Clansman Gang, the Spanish Town police say.

The police were forced to intervene and maintain a 24-hour presence in Backland, fearing possible deaths.

The feud was reportedly sparked sometime last week when men from Backland were contracted to carry out debushing work around a sewerage plant which adjoins their community.

As they were about to begin working, the workers reportedly received word that the Clansman gang should receive half the earnings ($30,000) which was already to be shared between approximately 16 men.

The workers refused to give in to the gang's extortion demands and since then, though no one has been injured, there has been multiple reports of gunfire in the community, leaving some residents scared and feeling trapped.

"People all fraid fi send dem pickney go skool," one resident of Backland said. Another resident added, " Bway mi fraid and mi naw tell nuh lie 'cause wi can't even walk in peace, mi haffi go pon di road go work and dem might si mi."

Head of the Spanish Town police, Superintendent Terrence Bent, told theWEEKEND STAR that the police were indeed aware of the feud and are working towards bringing peace.

"...We are planning to keep a meeting between the two sides to come to some understanding," said Superintendent Bent.

When theWEEKEND STAR visited the community, a small group of about five policemen were seen patrolling a section.

"Di police affi deh yah rite through di day, 'cause by six inna di evening, everybody lock in, even though dem a come fire shot anytime a day or night,"one resident said.

Clansman gang and the men from Backland have been at odds since March when Robert 'Robbie' Thicket, a high-ranking Clansman member, was murdered.