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In answer to Ms. Martin, Mr. Golding said that the Heads of the security forces
did not tell him that 300 gunmen had been recruited into the community.
3.62.
He saw the attacks against the JCF on 23 May as an attempt to
achieve their short-term objective of breaking the will and spirit of the JCF. And
he said –
“They intended to spread the attacks across the country so
that they could give the impression to the population that
the security forces were incapable of protecting the people.”
Attacks on Police Stations
3.63.
A number of police stations in West Kingston came under attack.
Hannah Town police station and Darling Street police station received sustained
gunfire about midday and were then burnt down by criminal elements. Several
attempts were made to invade and set fire to the Denham Town station. During
the attack on an Armoured Personnel (APC) Carrier in Hannah Town, a
policeman was shot and had to be hospitalised. Fire Service officers who
attempted to put out the fire at Hannah Town police station were shot at and
forced to retreat. These matters are dealt with more fully in Chapter 4.
Briefing the Cabinet
3.64.
CoP Ellington believes
steadfastly that the attacks on 23 May were
coordinated because, they all happened at about the same time, they all
occurred in communities where there were gangs loyal to Coke and/or the
Shower Posse; they were all directed at the assets of the JCF; and they seemed
to have been aimed at disrupting patrols and street level operations. He was
deeply concerned.
3.65.
CoP Ellington and CDS Saunders, therefore, sought an audience
with Prime Minister Golding and the Cabinet. An emergency Cabinet meeting
was arranged and CoP Ellington and CDS Saunders briefed the Cabinet. The