Large parts of the Jamaican capitalKingston remained in a state of lockdown as heavilyarmed security forces patrolled the streets following a weekend ofviolence.
Many businesses and stores remained closed asworkers stayed home, in part because scores of roadblocks thrown upall over the city disrupted traffic and services.
Police and soldiers struggled to remove the makeshift barriers,but "some are remounted as soon as they are taken down," said Ms Dahlia Carrier, a spokeswoman for the Jamaican Constabulary Force.
A police officer in the town of Trelewny, on the island'snorthern coast, was killed from a stone to the head yesterday.
But otherwise the violence that claimed 22 lives since Saturdayappeared to have subsided, with only sporadic gunfire disturbing thepeace.
"Security forces will continue to maintain a presence untileverything is returned to normal," said Ms Carrier.
The Prime Minister Mr PJ Patterson called out the army Monday,pledging to "restore Jamaica to law and order," after a police raidfor illegal weapons in the West Kingston neighborhood of TivoliGardens touched off gun battles.
Mr Edward Seaga, leader of the opposition Labour Party, said theweapons raid was engineered by the ruling People's National Party inorder to look tough on crime and boost its popularity ahead of nextyear's general election.
The troubled West Kingston area, which Mr Seaga has represented for40 years, has long been plagued by gang and drug violence.
"You cannot even stick your head round the corner of your building without them shooting at you," complained Winsome Robinson,a mother of four, who said she hadn't been able to leave the innercity neighborhood to get food since Saturday.
Despite the recent violence, British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blairand his wife Cherie will go ahead with a planned visit to Jamaicalate this month, Downing Street said yesterday.
AFP