MANDEVILLE, Manchester – A late morning fracas involving supporters of the two major political parties, which police later said was at least partially responsible for the early afternoon stabbing death of a 23-year-old man yesterday, has triggered a decision to suspend all political activities in Mandeville until further notice.

“No (political) activity whatsoever, no gathering or any political activity will happen from now until election day (August 27), and I mean no activity, no gathering,” Manchester’s police chief, Superintendent Martin Baylis, told journalists shortly after midday just after a stone-throwing clash between supporters of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP), and followers of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Baylis’ decision, which was agreed to by both candidates – Peter Bunting (PNP) and Sally Porteous (JLP) – came less than two hours before the stabbing death of Mark Taylor in an area adjacent to the market referred to as ‘Bronx’ by locals. Reports say that while the killing may have been a carry-over from the earlier political fracas it was substantially fuelled by a quarrel over money owed.

Police say Taylor, a minibus operator and cookshop operator of Bronti District in Christiana, had been crediting food to the “suspect” for sometime and the bill had reached $8,000.

Reports say Taylor – described by locals as a supporter of the JLP – had been attempting to collect his debt without success for sometime. The situation turned ugly shortly after 2:00 pm yesterday with the dispute over money being coloured by political differences.

Police say a knife was used to stab Taylor who subsequently collapsed and died. The police said last night they were in search of a man who is known to them.

Earlier the fracas, involving large numbers of supporters from both parties, reportedly started shortly after 11:00 am when PNP supporters objected to the installation of a billboard bearing the image of Porteous in the South Parade area of the town centre.

The situation quickly deteriorated with the pelting of bottles and stones. The police were forced to fire shots in the air to quell the disturbance.

Baylis responded by calling in both Bunting and Porteous who agreed that political activity in the town would be terminated. Porteous told journalists that she had earlier consented to a request by Baylis to refrain from installing the billboard but said the “communication” did not reach those physically putting up the structure in time to prevent the clash.

Porteous and Bunting spoke to journalists hand in hand and later both addressed their political supporters asking them to disperse and to show restraint.

Baylis told the Observer last night that because “it was already arranged” a PNP motorcade led by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller will be allowed through Mandeville today “but there will be no stopping”. Simpson Miller’s tour of sections of Manchester was expected to end with a mass meeting in Porus.