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human shields. I needed the troops to have as much access
as possible and to create a different sound in the operational
area. They were fired under observed and controlled
conditions. Each target was pre-determined and they were
fired into three open areas. They had the desired effect.
They created some disorientation and we never suffered
many injuries and fatalities. There is no record of women
and children killed during the operation. The mortars
caused persons to remain behind doors.”
7.69.
Under cross-examination by Mr. McBean Q.C., CDS Saunders
identified the three open areas as the Seprod field, an open area near to the
Community Centre in Tivoli Gardens and the football field on the eastern side of
Tivoli Gardens. Thirty-seven (37) rounds of mortar were fired and Maj. Dixon
was responsible for observing and controlling the mortars. CoP Ellington said
that he had no knowledge of mortars or that any were fired on 24 May.
7.70.
Women and children did stay indoors on 24 May. It was mainly
“daredevils” (per John Green) who could be seen running around the community
during the operation.
7.71.
The use of mortar fire was, for some witnesses, a terrifying
experience. Most witnesses described them as bombs. CDS Saunders accepted
that they might very well have sounded like bombs. Romaine Walker said that a
mortar “bomb” fell on his house; A witness who gave evidence
in camera
,
claimed that her son, Bojan Rochester, was in fact killed by a mortar. We return
to the issue of mortars in detail in Chapter 10.
(iv) Forced Evacuations – Detentions
7.72.
There was mass detention of residents of Tivoli Gardens.
CoP Ellington said that this was a measure designed to protect lives. Here we
only discuss detentions in relation to the claim that they were a protective
measure. According to CoP Ellington: