THE National Democratic Movement is demanding a full and thorough investigation of the ongoing security force operation in Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston.

In a statement today the NDM Chairman Peter Townsend acknowledged that dangerous criminals existed in West Kingston and all other garrison areas and that they should be apprehended. However, Townsend complained that his party had previously warned that the operation should be carried out with greater precision to avoid loss of life. The death toll has now reached 50.

"This warning was obviously ignored and now the country has to face the horror of multiple loss of innocent lives, of residents caught in the cross fire and an embar****ing failure since only four guns have been reportedly recovered. The Movement is also wondering why the media was barred from the area in the first place," he said.

He also wants investigated a report on TVJ Prime News that bodies were buried "in secrecy" by security forces at the May Pen cemetery. He demanded that Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Member of Parliament for the area, respond directly to his constituents on the matter.