WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – The Westmoreland police have taken into custody two of three men in relation to what they say are “serious threats” being made against someone.

The police, have, however, refrained from divulging information surrounding who the threat was made against, noting that the case is currently at a sensitive stage.

It is alleged that one of the men was arrested in relation to threats he made against the member of parliament for Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson on Saturday.

The threat was reportedly made against the MP during a boisterous protest by residents within the community of Retreat, who were upset about the lack of water in the area for the past three weeks. The police tried their best to calm the residents.

READ: Residents block Savanna-la-Mar to Negril main road in protest of lack of water.

Officer in charge of operation for the Westmoreland Police Division, Deputy Superintendent of Police Adrian Hamilton, said one of the men was picked up at a school on Tuesday while the other was picked up along the roadway on Wednesday morning. A third man is being sought by the police in connection with the case.

“We have two persons that are persons of interest. One was picked up this morning and we are looking for another one. We have called out for him to turn himself in to the police because we want the process to go through,” stated DSP Hamilton.

While not providing details, DSP Hamilton said charges will be laid against the men sometime during the day.

“We want to take it seriously because it is a case of threat that happened on Saturday and some continuations thereafter. So, the police have to deal with it in a very serious way and that is what we are about,” assured DSP Hamilton.

The most recent demonstration took place on Tuesday evening at about 5:30 pm.

DSP Hamilton said he and his team are working to ensure that there is not a repetition.

“We want the residents to understand that we are here to clarify the issues but we don’t want them to be blocking the road and committing any offence and impeding the freedom of movement for persons traversing the space,” stated DSP Hamilton, who noted that “they understand that and we do not have a blockage at this time.”

The police are of the view that Tuesday’s protest had nothing to do with the lack of water. However, reports on social media suggested that the protest was staged in support of the man who residents claimed was taken in by the police during his child’s graduation.

Efforts to reach Wilson were unsuccessful on Wednesday morning.

– Anthony Lewis