'Protect the children'

CHILDREN'S ADVOCATE Mary Clarke has made an impassioned plea to the security forces and residents in barricaded communities in west Kingston to protect the children from any possible fallout arising from the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke extra-dition issue.

Police sources told The Gleaner yesterday that intelligence gleaned by the Jamaica Constabulary Force indicates that thugs are preparing to use children as human shields if the security forces storm the community to arrest Coke.

In a Gleaner interview yesterday, Clarke sent a clear message to all who are concerned, urging them to pay particular attention to the safety of children.

"I'm appealing to the adults in the barricaded areas to protect the children," Clarke said. She also cautioned the security forces to look out for the children during their operational activities.

Meanwhile, the children's advocate wants politicians to play a role in ensuring that the children's needs are met. "Their need for food, medical attention, phar-maceuticals ... these are children, some of them probably have doctor's appointments and may need asthma medicine," she said.

Following the prime minister's announcement on Monday that Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne would sign an order to carry out extradition proceedings against reputed Shower Posse and Tivoli Gardens strongman Coke, thugs have erected barricades at entrances to the community.