PRIME Minister Bruce Golding will address the nation this evening at 8:30 pm following the declaration of a state of public emergency.
The state of emergency is limited to the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew and came into effect at 6.00 pm.
Golding summoned the cabinet to an emergency meeting at 2:00 pm this afternoon on the advice of security forces after police came under sustained attack downtown.
Earlier:
Hannah Town police station set on fire
POLICE had to evacuate the Hannah Town police station in downtown Kingston after the building came under sustained attack by gunmen today.
Personnel had to be evacuated by a rescue unit after the police ran out of bullets and the station was set ablaze, a police source said.
A policeman has also been shot and injured, but his injuries are not considered life threatening.
“Nothing has been put in place, heads have to roll because plans were not put in place. We were not made ready,” said one ‘concerned officer’ from the Kingston West Police Division who who spoke to the Observer on condition of anonymity.
LATEST:
Hardboys seize police car
POLICE attempting to assist persons trapped at the Blood Bank on Slipe Pen Road in downtown Kingston were forced to abandon a police service vehicle after heavily-armed gunmen fired at them.
The cops fled the area on foot and left the marked police car which as then taken by the gunmen.
It is unclear if any of the cops have been injured.
Sections of the capital city have been under siege as armed thugs roam the city taking on police officers who attempt to clear road blocks that are popping up at various points.
At least four police stations have been shot up by gunmen who have vowed to defend to the death reputed Tivoli Gardens don Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.
Coke is wanted in the United States on gun and drug running charge.