Kingston, May 27: Jamaicans voiced growing worries Wednesday for the safety of slum dwellers caught in an all-out offensive to capture an alleged drug kingpin as officials said at least 44 civilians were killed.
While less gunfire could be heard on the third day of the assault, bullets and the occasional body littered impoverished western Kingston, where gun-toting soldiers systematically searched and often detained those who dare pass through the area.
Authorities said they had detained more than 500 people but not the man they were seeking — local don Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who has set up a virtual mini-economy in slums a world away from Jamaica’s famous beaches.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz said Coke’s whereabouts were unclear and declined to comment even on whether authorities were certain he was still in Jamaica.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding ordered an assault to capture Coke on Sunday after months of hesitation on an extradition request from the United States, which accuses Coke’s “Shower Posse” of funneling drugs to the US East Coast.
Golding has pledged to undo Kingston’s reputation as one of the world’s murder capitals but also ordered an inspection of conditions amid fears of a heavy toll on bystanders.
The public defender, Earl Witter, and ombudsman, Hero Blair, said they counted the bodies of 44 civilians after a tour of Coke’s Tivoli Gardens stronghold.
“We visited the morgue and were told that no fewer than 35 bodies were lodged there,” Witter said, noting that nine more bodies were being sent to the morgue.
Police had said Tuesday that 26 residents and one soldier were killed in the operation, although hospital staff spoke of dozens of bodies coming in.
Police have also reported the deaths of two policemen and several civilians in other parts of Kingston.
Vaz, the information minister, said that downtown businesses near the slum area would reopen on Thursday but schools would remain closed.
Police spokesman Karl Angell said security forces had seized control over all tall buildings in the area but were combing door to door to search for wanted criminals.
Some of the worst violence has taken place near the original headquarters of Studio One, among Kingston’s most influential labels that has put out recordings by reggae legends Bob Marley and Lee “Scratch” Perry.
Near the studio’s padlocked door, a resident urged bystanders to get away.
“Calm here now, but gunfire here, gunfire there,” he said, pointing in all directions.
The line between civilians and combatants has become blurry in the Tivoli Gardens violence. Some describe the gunmen as a citizens’ militia that enforces security in the neighborhood and, above all else, protects Coke.
But the violence-torn area also has the ear of political leaders. Both Golding and Kingston’s mayor, Desmond McKenzie, represent Tivoli Gardens in elected office and Coke has supported their Jamaica Labour Party in the past.
McKenzie said he traveled to the affected area overnight and heard accusations of “harassment” by security forces, including indiscriminate shootings and destruction of personal property.
“These people have rights, too,” McKenzie said on Jamaican television.
“They are hungry. A lot have not had a proper meal since Sunday.
“What is on my mind is trying to get some comfort to them. I know the community is hurting and is upset with us,” he added. “It is going to take us some time to rebuild that trust and rebuild the confidence.”
The Jamaican Red Cross, which accompanied officials on the earlier tour of Tivoli Gardens, said it would begin to deliver food into the area to meet residents’ needs.
Golding, speaking in parliament on Tuesday, said his government “deeply regrets the loss of lives” among security forces and “innocent, law-abiding citizens caught in the crossfire.”
But he pledged to carry out the operation as long as needed to capture Coke and disarm his group.
–Agencies