Opposition demands clarity from Gov’t on ‘unauthorised’ Indian, Uzbbek flight
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is demanding immediate clarity from the Government of Jamaica regarding reports of a chartered flight landing in the country in breach of immigration and customs protocols.
It is reported that the unauthorised flight landed in Kingston on Friday with 218 Indian and Uzbek nationals aboard the airline. The circumstances around the flight remain unknown.
In a statement Monday, the PNP called for the Government to disclose:
- The origin, destination and apparent purpose of the flight;
- The identity of the individuals or organisations responsible for chartering the flight;
- Why the flight was allowed to land in Jamaica without proper clearance;
- Why the passengers were allowed to disembark and permitted to enter Jamaica;
- Why standard immigration and customs procedures were not followed in this matter;
- The whereabouts of the 218 persons allegedly on board, and what is to be done about their continued presence in Jamaica; and
- What measures are being taken by the Jamaica Constabulary Force to ensure the safety and security of the passengers and the public.
Pointing to the COVID-19 pandemic when many Jamaicans were denied entry into the country, subjected to strict protocols and more recently, Haitians, who have been repeatedly refused entry into Jamaica and summarily returned to war-torn Haiti, the Opposition said the difference in treatment of the passengers on this flight is “stark, and demands answers”.
