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Jamaica PM promises to end unrest | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Jamaica's Prime Minister Bruce Golding has denounced unrest in the capital city Kingston as a "calculated assault on the authority of the state". | |
He vowed that criminals would not triumph, after supporters of an alleged druglord took to the streets to stop him from being arrested. | |
One police station has been set on fire and two others shot at by suspected supporters of Christopher "Dudus" Coke. | |
The authorities have declared a state of emergency in parts of Kingston. | |
The trouble began late last week when the authorities announced they would arrest and extradite Mr Coke to the US. | |
His supporters set up barricades and said they would fight to protect him. | |
The BBC's Nick Davis in Montego Bay says the capital now represents a city under siege. | |
Troops and police have come under fire, and smoke is rising from the burning police station. | |
Christopher "Dudus" Coke is accused of being a gang leader | Christopher "Dudus" Coke is accused of being a gang leader |
Mr Golding said security forces would be "moving swiftly to bring the current situation under control". | |
"Criminal elements bent on violence and mayhem will be detained," he said in a televised address. | |
"What is taking place is a calculated assault on the authority of the state that cannot be tolerated, and will not be allowed to continue." | |
A state of emergency allowing police to conduct searches without a warrant and restrict movement was put in place in West Kingston and St Andrews districts, where the violence broke out. | |
The government said the measures would be in place for at least a month. | |
The areas are a stronghold of support for Mr Coke, 41, who says he is a community leader. | The areas are a stronghold of support for Mr Coke, 41, who says he is a community leader. |
Our correspondent says Mr Coke's supporters see him as a man who is fulfilling a role that the government does not. | Our correspondent says Mr Coke's supporters see him as a man who is fulfilling a role that the government does not. |
He looks after them and gives them money when they are out of work, and because of that he has a huge amount of support in the area. | He looks after them and gives them money when they are out of work, and because of that he has a huge amount of support in the area. |
Police have called for his surrender and have described the barricades surrounding his area a sign of "cowardice", according to the Associated Press. | Police have called for his surrender and have described the barricades surrounding his area a sign of "cowardice", according to the Associated Press. |
Most wanted | Most wanted |
The US Justice Department says Mr Coke is one of the world's most dangerous drug barons. He is accused of leading a gang called the Shower Posse and operating an international smuggling network. | The US Justice Department says Mr Coke is one of the world's most dangerous drug barons. He is accused of leading a gang called the Shower Posse and operating an international smuggling network. |
Some residents have protested in defence of Mr Coke | Some residents have protested in defence of Mr Coke |
He faces a life sentence if he is convicted on charges filed against him in New York. | He faces a life sentence if he is convicted on charges filed against him in New York. |
The gang has also been blamed for numerous murders in Jamaica and the US. | The gang has also been blamed for numerous murders in Jamaica and the US. |
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding said earlier this week that he was prepared to send Mr Coke to the US on drugs and weapons trafficking charges. | Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding said earlier this week that he was prepared to send Mr Coke to the US on drugs and weapons trafficking charges. |
The decision reversed nine months of opposition to his extradition. | The decision reversed nine months of opposition to his extradition. |
Mr Golding had argued that the evidence against Mr Coke was obtained illegally by intercepting mobile telephone calls. | Mr Golding had argued that the evidence against Mr Coke was obtained illegally by intercepting mobile telephone calls. |
But he changed his mind in the face of growing public discontent, and questions about his possible ties to Mr Coke. | But he changed his mind in the face of growing public discontent, and questions about his possible ties to Mr Coke. |
He apologised to the nation and admitted he had mishandled the case. | He apologised to the nation and admitted he had mishandled the case. |
The US and UK have warned travellers about possible violence and disorder in Kingston because of the situation. | The US and UK have warned travellers about possible violence and disorder in Kingston because of the situation. |
Are you in Kingston? What is your reaction to the state of emergency? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below: | Are you in Kingston? What is your reaction to the state of emergency? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below: |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |