THE security forces have found shallow graves and an alleged torture chamber in an area of Tivoli Gardens they believed was used by thugs to hold informal court sessions and inflict cruel punishment on dissidents.

During an informal tour of an area this morning Jamaica Defense Force soldiers showed the area located in a section of the community called Java.

They also showed another location behind McKenzie Drive where persons were buried in shallow graves.

Civilians who did not fall in line with reputed don Christopher Dudus Coke would be tried and if found guilty would be severely punished some to the death, said a policeman.

During the informal tour of the area several mass graves and an empty wooden coffin was found.

Soldiers also showed a shallow grave where maggot-infested human remains were found this morning. A human skull was also seen in the grave. It appeared the person was buried in a standing position.

"This is just one of the many areas where we believe shallow graves are located," one soldier said.

Residents however denied knowledge of the torture chamber or burial sites.