'We will not back down'

National Security Minister Dwight Nelson yesterday led a chorus of voices condemning the fatal shooting of two policemen and numerous other attacks on the security forces.

In expressing condolences to the families and friends of the two slain policemen, Nelson noted that they had made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of their duties to uphold law and order.

Nelson vowed that the armed criminals would not prevail in the war against law and order.

According to Nelson, "The gunmen have demonstrated unimaginable cruelty and barbarity in a calculated move to bring the communities under siege and threaten the sovereignty of the state.

"We will not be deterred, we will not back down. We are determined to crush criminality," said Nelson.

He further stated, "Now is the time for the society to deal decisively with crime and violence once and for all."

support the security forces

That was a sentiment echoed by Opposition Spokesman on National Security Peter Bunting. He urged Jamaicans to support the security forces in their bid to repel the criminals.

"The police have exercised restraint and, in some cases, have been heroic in their response to this concerted assault on the state and its citizens," said Bunting.

Human-rights lobby Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) also expressed sympathy to the police while commending the force for the "professionalism and restraint displayed so far".

According to JFJ: "The lawlessness displayed in some areas and by some persons since the announcement that the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke would be signed is utterly deplorable and cannot be tolerated in a free and democratic society."

Also yesterday, the governing Jamaica Labour Party, which has perennially represented the West Kingston constituency, along with Generation 2000 - its group of young professionals - and its women's movement, said the operations taking place "are inescapable and unavoidable to deal with the criminal elements that have openly threatened the State by their actions.

"Our hearts go out to the innocent and law-abiding people in the community who have themselves been held hostage by a criminal structure for some time," the three said in a joint statement.