A policeman watches as these residents move their belongings from Gravel Heights, St Catherine, following a warning by gunmen yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn

SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine

Almost 200 residents of Gravel Heights, St Catherine, fled their homes yesterday after they were labelled as informers and ordered to leave the area by gunmen.

The residents, for whom the police provided security, hurriedly packed whatever they could of their belongings into a number of trucks as they hastily left the community. Clothing, furniture and household items, including bags, pots, stoves, refrigerators, cupboards and even a coal stove, on which a pot of rice and peas was being cooked, were hurriedly placed on the backs of the trucks. Residents expressed mixed emotions - some cried, some sang while others just looked blank - as they removed their belongings. Many residents said they owned the land, which they are paying for under the Operation PRIDE programme. "Oh, Lord have mercy upon us, what next Lord Jesus!" exclaimed a young lady, as she walked to a truck with a barrel on her head and a small child holding on to the hem of her skirt.

Rush and chaos

The residents, despite the rush and chaos that were created as they moved, told THE STAR that early yesterday morning gunmen entered the community and warned them to leave immediately or risk being killed. The gunmen, they said, claimed they were behind a massive raid on the community by members of a police/ military team on Saturday night. A helicopter was used in the operation. As a result, the residents were given marching orders by the gunmen, and none was apparently waiting to see if the thugs would act on their threat.

"The man dem claim seh we a informer and we must leave the area. So all of us who buy wi land, do all kind of work to build the house and send we children a school, now have to start all over again. In fact, some can't even start over as we not working," said Marcus Ranglin, one of the residents.

Bewilderment

Bewilderment, fear and concern were evident on the residents' faces. Some just looked into space as they waited to move, while others were pensive, obviously wondering what to do next. Whenever a truck returned to the area, they rushed to get their belongings into the vehicle. Many said it was a really sad situation, but all were glad their lives had been spared.

The residents said there were mostly women and children living in the community as most of the men had fled because of the violence which had erupted. Police confirmed that for months now, they have been patrolling the area due to an upsurge in gun violence. They plan to make their presence felt in the community and have taken a man into custody, whom they say can assist with their investigations into the violence.

Despite this, the fleeing residents, even those with furniture left behind, say they have no intention of returning.