A 48-hour curfew is now in force in the community of Quick Step and its environs, including the Pullet Hall main road and the Forest Reserves.
Quick Step is located in the Cockpit Country, on the border of St Elizabeth and Trelawny.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF, says the curfew is to ensure the safety and security of residents while the police conducts investigations into the theft of government property along with the alleged abduction and obstruction of forest agents on the weekend.
Members of the Forestry Department along with police personnel were reportedly attacked by residents as they attempted to retrieve lumber they say was illegally logged in the Cockpit Country near Quickstep.
The agents of the state were forced to sleep in their vehicles on Thursday night as about 200 residents refused to clear the blockade and facilitate their exit.
Chief of the Accompong Maroons, Richard Currie, claims the logging was being carried out by the Forestry Department, and said his team was acting to thwart the unlawful activity.
In its defence, the Forestry Department says it uncovered an extensive illegal timber harvesting operation in Lewis Patent in the Cockpit Country Forest Reserve and was removing the lumber when its staff was attacked.Meanwhile, Chief of the Accompong Maroons, Richard Currie says he is doing what he can to ease tensions between the community and the police.
In a video posted to his Instagram account Monday morning, Currie is seen in the community of Quick Step, in the company of community members, some of whom are drumming.
Mr. Currie says the government of Jamaica has no legal claim to lands in Quick Step.
Richard Currie, Chief of the Accompong Maroons.
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