75 / 494
74
“When we were at the UDC Car Park, I became aware that
1JR was meeting significant resistance trying to manoeuvre
around obstacles which were protected by gunfire.”
4.52.
It had been decided that 2JR would make their approach to Tivoli
Gardens on two fronts:
(i)
via Marcus Garvey Drive and Industrial Terrace; and
(ii)
up Darling Street and along Spanish Town Road. But this movement was
confronted with attacks from gunmen. Lt. Col. Sewell elaborated in oral
evidence:
“Our soldiers going along Darling Street made slow progress
because of heavy gunfire from Coronation Market. The
group on Industrial Terrace came under heavy gunfire while
proceeding along Marcus Garvey Drive.”
4.53.
Moreover, it was not possible to establish a static cordon as
originally planned because of what Lt. Col. Sewell called “the threats to the
personal safety of the troops between 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.”
“Several of my troops were injured from direct gunfire.
Along Marcus Garvey Drive, gunfire was aimed at the troops,
including me. It did not stop the troops but it slowed them
down on Industrial Terrace.”
4.54.
2JR moved towards Tivoli Gardens in vehicles as far as they could
go but they not only encountered gunfire on the roads but also from gunmen on
high-rise buildings.
Captain Garth Anderson
4.55.
Capt. Anderson’s witness statement states at para.15:
“No.6 platoon encountered heavy resistance from gunmen
located in the Coronation Market, inside the MPM building
and on high-rise buildings located to the north of Tivoli
Gardens in the vicinity of Tivoli Court. The gunmen were
engaged with aimed controlled fire by members of the
platoon. It is believed that these gunmen fled north towards
the Denham Town community.”