STUDENTS THREATENED FOR PARTY COLOURS

Students of two universities in Papine and Mona have been warned not to wear any colours associated with either of Jamaica's two major political parties, THE STAR understands.

According to several students, who are living in communities close to the University of the West Indies (UWI) and University of Technology (UTech), they have been told that wearing orange, yellow or green during the next few months could be endangering their lives.

"I was told by some men in the area that I rented that I don't want to lose the protection that university students get by wearing my orange shirt while the place hot (election period)," explained one of students who spoke to THE STAR.

The student, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said she was approached less than a week ago when she wore an orange top to an exam and told to desist from doing so.

"After telling the other girls I lived with what happened, one of them said that she had also been told to put down her PNP (People's National Party) colours before something happened to her," explained the UWI student.

similar incidents

Students from UTech also recalled similar incidents. However, they were approached when they wore green, which is associated with the Jamaica Labour Party.

"The guy asked me if I didn't realise is pure orange flag me see round here then he told me no more green until after elections are done," said the male student.

But despite claiming to be scarred from the incident, none of the students have reported the incident to the police.

"I don't think they can do anything to change the situation, I will just not wear the colours until things clear up," explained one student.

When THE STAR contacted the Papine Police Station, a female corporal said no reports were made to the station about the matter. She also noted that it is not the duty of the police to advise people on their attire.

Jamaica was put on election watch a few months ago when there were strong suggestions that an election would be called before the end of the year. However, in November, Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller announced that elections would not be called before the year ended.