PNP Demands Explanation After Indian Nationals Land in Jamaica

The People’s National Party, PNP, is demanding answers from the government regarding the chartered flight that landed in Jamaica with over 200 Indian nationals aboard.

The flight reportedly landed at Norman Manley International Airport last Friday.

Nora Gaye Banton reports.

The passengers were denied entry into Jamaica but allowed to take up accommodations at the ROK hotel in downtown Kingston.

The passengers had reportedly previously booked rooms at the hotel, but hadn’t yet paid for their accommodations.

The arrangement was reportedly allowed because the authorities did not have a detention centre at the airport or any other location to house the more than 200 passengers.

It’s understood the police were deployed to guard the passengers.

The flight, which reportedly had no passenger manifest, has triggered a call by the opposition for answers.

Shadow Minister of Foreign and Regional Affairs, Dr Angela Brown Burke, wants the government to provide information about where the flight was going and the organisations responsible for the charter.

Dr. Brown Burke says the opposition is also seeking answers about the continued presence of the passengers in the country.

On Sunday, Radio Jamaica News reported that some of the people believed to be passengers of the charter flight were seen walking around and shopping on the waterfront in downtown Kingston.

Dr. Brown Burke is highlighting a stark difference in the treatment of the passengers in comparison to several Haitians who’ve been repeatedly refused entry into Jamaica and summarily returned to Haiti.

Efforts by our news centre to contact Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang and Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith have been unsuccessful.

Nationwide understands the matter is being discussed at cabinet this morning. Nationwide also called the CEO of the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Andrew Wynter, several times.

He responded via automated text asking our news centre to message him instead.

We did respond with questions, but have not got a further response since.