Glenroy Sinclair, News Coordinator

Parents made themselves available early yesterday afternoon to pick up students at the Holy Family Primary School, under the watchful eyes of the police. This was after at least one parent was attacked and beaten, and several others threatened and told to find another school for their children. The police had to intervene and escort some students to school yesterday morning. The problem is centred on a gang feud between factions from Tel-Aviv and Southside. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Several young, traumatised students, had to be escorted to the Holy Family Primary School in central Kingston yesterday morning by heavily armed policemen, after their parents, who reside in the People's National Party (PNP) stronghold of Tel-Aviv, were attacked by persons from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) stronghold of Southside, while accompanying their children to school.

Holy Family Primary is located at 2 Laws Street, in the Southside community.

When contacted yesterday, Cecile Palmer, the school's principal, said she was aware of the situation, but declined to say much. "If what they say really took place, then the violence has reached an all-time low in this community," said Ms. Palmer. Reports are that the parents were attacked following the shooting of four persons in the community on Sunday night. The shooting took place at the intersection of Gold and Laws streets, which border both political strongholds. "We heard that one parent was stabbed, while another wet herself when she saw what was happening," said one of the teachers, who spoke with The Gleaner on condition of anonymity.

Knife attack

Acting Deputy Superintendent of Police, Elwig Cameron, the crime officer for the Kingston Central division, said detectives yesterday collected a statement from at least one parent who claimed she was attacked by a man with a knife, while walking her son to school.

"The parents from the Tel-Aviv side were fearful and expressed concern about a shooting in the area on Sunday night, so the police went and assisted the students to school," said DSP Cameron.

Member of Parliament for the area, Deacon Ronnie Thwaites, also confirmed that one parent was attacked. After that incident, words began spreading across the community and some parents were advised not to send their children to school. Mr. Thwaites said this prompted a number of concerned residents to stage a protest outside the Kingston Central Police Station on East Queen Street. But it is alleged that yesterday's attack on the parents is a reprisal to Sunday night's shooting. Four persons were shot and injured in that incident. Up to yesterday, two of the victims remained hospitalised in serious condition.

Sunday night's shooting took place about 220 metres from the Holy Family School. It occurred shortly after the funeral of an elderly woman, who, it is alleged, was killed by men from the Southside area, about two weeks ago.

Men from the Tel-Aviv side of the community reportedly came out to avenge her death.

glenroy.sinclair@gleanerjm.com