NEGRIL, Westmoreland – More than 35 people are now homeless after the 21 wooden structures they occupied along the river bank near the Norman Manley Boulevard, Negril, were demolished on Tuesday by the Negril/Green Island Planning Authority (NGIPA), with assistance from the police.

The settlers told the Observer that they were awakened early Tuesday morning by a demolition crew, which used sledge hammers and crow bars to demolish their houses.

The settlers, many of whom have lived there for more than 16 years, are appealing for assistance as they have lost their houses and most of their belongings.

“We don’t have anywhere to go. My mother sleep out a door last night and the night before. Me have a friend that put up my child and my nephew, but we can’t keep going at people place and asking them for this and that,” said Kemeisha Marks, 23.

Aston Moore also had a sad tale to tell. He said the demolition team did not give him time to salvage all his belongings. He said when they came he pleaded with them for time to remove his belongings but his request was denied.

“Before me could take them out me haffi stop because the building start coming down on me,” Moore said.

Meanwhile, Secretary/Manager of the Negril/Green Island Planning authority, Cliff Reynolds, said that for years the illegal settlers have been given removal notice, which they have ignored.

During October, notices which expired November 10 were again served on the informal settlers.

“I was appealing to the persons every other day. You see the location is just across from the office and I would walk over to remind, to appeal to them to remove their buildings. And out of all the 24 persons, three of them moved.”