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Dwayne Mcleod, Staff Reporter
With the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) emerging as victors in the recently held general elections, an underground power struggle is now brewing between politically aligned thugs across the corporate area.
THE STAR has found out that some thugs who claim to be aligned to the JLP have already started to pressure and intimidate companies who had allegedly been issuing work to supporters of the People's National Party (PNP), demanding that work now be given to them.
Head of the St. Andrew South Division, Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, confirms these reports, saying he is aware of the illicit practice becoming rampant in his division.
Complaints
"We have received complaints from several business entities. one company currently conducting road works across the corporate area, complained that persons visited their premises recently saying they (the company) have voted against them and it's their time now (to get contracted labour)," said Supt.Knight.
He added: "persons with the losing government are uncomfortable, while persons with the victorious party are elevated. they believe work will run, in terms of housing and road contracts."
The trend has also emerged in rural Jamaica, as it was reported that men who claimed to be supporters of the JLP stormed on to the compound of a hotel in Hanover on Wednesday, demanding that labour be reallocated away from PNP supporters.
A member of the Lucea Police Station confirmed the altercation, but said he was unable to give details, citing that he was not one of the officers who responded to the incident.
"The officers who responded were able to defuse the altercation, but they are all on the road now...," said the lawman who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Residents from JLP stronghold Denham Town, who spoke to THE STAR with much confidence of their expectations of increased gains.
"Cyaa switch naw switch, a our time now, work haffi run ya now," one resident said.
JUNGLE 'WEEPS'
Meanwhile, in long-time PNP stronghold, Arnett Gardens (Jungle), a 'don' from a section of the community known as Havana expressed that the area is now quite tense as a result of the JLP's victory.
In explaining the current vibe in the area, he said "rite ya now Jungle tense. A di tensest dis mi eva si di place, a nuff ting ago crash eno jus wait until man start calculate dem losses, jus wait til it settle in."
He also added that men from the area are currently on the alert in case of any possible intrusion by opposing thugs.
"Portia lose suh every man a watch wah ago gwaan, when yu think bout it, shot fi a beat but every man jus a watch," the don said, highlighting that their party's loss has wrought a tentative cease fire in the area.
Another thug from another section of 'Jungle' known as Zimbabwe, added that the community will definitely feel some adverse effects.
"Everything ago slow up, wi cyaa even go look nuh work up a di office," he said in reference to a PNP office located in the area.
COPS REACT
Instead of allowing the trend to spiral into chaos however, the police having identified business entities that are reporting such incidents, and are monitoring these areas with frequent patrols.
"I held a meeting this (Thursday) morning regarding this issue...The Hunts Bay Police are monitoring government entities as well as other companies which are believed to be linked to the government," said the Superintendent.
One area that has opted to take a different approach is Spanish Town, as a top ranking member of the JLP aligned 'One Order' gang told The STAR that a 'pre-election deal' was brokered with the rival 'Clansman' gang.
"We had a peace ting going an is only election coulda mash it up, so we mek a deal that whichever party win, di peace woulda hol'...if dem (PNP aligned 'Clansman' gang) did win, we seh wi a hol' di peace, so now dat we win dem afi hol' it, suh wi a watch di ting," said the One Order's second in command.
When The STAR contacted JLP spokeperson on Justice, Delroy Chuck about his party's knowledge of the thugs, he simply stated, "I don't know anything about that."
With the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) emerging as victors in the recently held general elections, an underground power struggle is now brewing between politically aligned thugs across the corporate area.
THE STAR has found out that some thugs who claim to be aligned to the JLP have already started to pressure and intimidate companies who had allegedly been issuing work to supporters of the People's National Party (PNP), demanding that work now be given to them.
Head of the St. Andrew South Division, Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, confirms these reports, saying he is aware of the illicit practice becoming rampant in his division.
Complaints
"We have received complaints from several business entities. one company currently conducting road works across the corporate area, complained that persons visited their premises recently saying they (the company) have voted against them and it's their time now (to get contracted labour)," said Supt.Knight.
He added: "persons with the losing government are uncomfortable, while persons with the victorious party are elevated. they believe work will run, in terms of housing and road contracts."
The trend has also emerged in rural Jamaica, as it was reported that men who claimed to be supporters of the JLP stormed on to the compound of a hotel in Hanover on Wednesday, demanding that labour be reallocated away from PNP supporters.
A member of the Lucea Police Station confirmed the altercation, but said he was unable to give details, citing that he was not one of the officers who responded to the incident.
"The officers who responded were able to defuse the altercation, but they are all on the road now...," said the lawman who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Residents from JLP stronghold Denham Town, who spoke to THE STAR with much confidence of their expectations of increased gains.
"Cyaa switch naw switch, a our time now, work haffi run ya now," one resident said.
JUNGLE 'WEEPS'
Meanwhile, in long-time PNP stronghold, Arnett Gardens (Jungle), a 'don' from a section of the community known as Havana expressed that the area is now quite tense as a result of the JLP's victory.
In explaining the current vibe in the area, he said "rite ya now Jungle tense. A di tensest dis mi eva si di place, a nuff ting ago crash eno jus wait until man start calculate dem losses, jus wait til it settle in."
He also added that men from the area are currently on the alert in case of any possible intrusion by opposing thugs.
"Portia lose suh every man a watch wah ago gwaan, when yu think bout it, shot fi a beat but every man jus a watch," the don said, highlighting that their party's loss has wrought a tentative cease fire in the area.
Another thug from another section of 'Jungle' known as Zimbabwe, added that the community will definitely feel some adverse effects.
"Everything ago slow up, wi cyaa even go look nuh work up a di office," he said in reference to a PNP office located in the area.
COPS REACT
Instead of allowing the trend to spiral into chaos however, the police having identified business entities that are reporting such incidents, and are monitoring these areas with frequent patrols.
"I held a meeting this (Thursday) morning regarding this issue...The Hunts Bay Police are monitoring government entities as well as other companies which are believed to be linked to the government," said the Superintendent.
One area that has opted to take a different approach is Spanish Town, as a top ranking member of the JLP aligned 'One Order' gang told The STAR that a 'pre-election deal' was brokered with the rival 'Clansman' gang.
"We had a peace ting going an is only election coulda mash it up, so we mek a deal that whichever party win, di peace woulda hol'...if dem (PNP aligned 'Clansman' gang) did win, we seh wi a hol' di peace, so now dat we win dem afi hol' it, suh wi a watch di ting," said the One Order's second in command.
When The STAR contacted JLP spokeperson on Justice, Delroy Chuck about his party's knowledge of the thugs, he simply stated, "I don't know anything about that."
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