Several residents of Coopers Pen in Trelawny have been left homeless after their houses were demolished during an early morning operation on Tuesday.
Residents said they were awakened at around 3:00 a.m. by the sound of heavy duty equipment being used to tear down houses in the community.
The identity of the person or entity behind the demolition exercise was not immediately ascertained. However, a strong police presence was observed during the operation.
According to residents, they have occupied the land for several decades and have been involved in a longstanding legal dispute with an individual who they say has claimed ownership of the property.
The residents said that in 2019, an agreement was reached with the individual for them to purchase approximately nine acres of the land. They claimed that following that agreement, they heard nothing further and continued living on the property.
The affected residents said they were caught off guard by Tuesday’s demolition, insisting that they were not given any notice to vacate the premises.
They said approximately 25 houses across the community were demolished, leaving dozens of residents displaced.
Following the exercise, affected families were seen salvaging their belongings from the rubble as they tried to determine where they would go next.
The residents are now appealing to the relevant authorities to intervene and assist those who have been left without homes.