Resurgence of violence in the Portmore community of Braeton between enemy factions in Phase 2 and Phase 3 has taken a twist as residents from both sides have accused the police of being corrupt and in collusion with the other side.

Information reaching THE STAR is that the community is now tense and further segregated after stabbings, shootings, and at least one murder case.

At the same time, residents from both sides label the other as being the aggressor.

"Police siding with residents of Phase 3 because a lot of police live over deh. All a the shot dem weh a fire, a Phase 3 man a fire dem," a Phase 2 resident told THE STAR.

A Phase 3 resident, however, refuted the claims and reasoned that the violence is ongoing because, "The police inna the back pocket of influential persons who reside on the other side."

When THE STAR visited the community on the weekend, residents from both sides remained within their 'border' but were more than eager to give their respective accounts about the unrest they have been experiencing.

"Any man, any woman, any pickney ago get kill was the statement issued by Phase 3 thugs. A few people still tek brave heart and walk," a Phase 2 resident told THE STAR.

The residents further informed THE STAR that only days earlier they had a funeral service for one of their neighbours who they say was shot and killed by gunmen from Phase 3.

He was Michael Stewart who was gunned down about 3 p.m. in the community on May 21.

When THE STAR quizzed residents as to why they think Stewart was killed, they said: "The Phase 3 man dem just wah mek a duppy so dem kill the yute."

Residents also revealed that in that said week there was a failed murder attempt as a gunman who had entered Phase 2 to carry out a killing missed at his opportunity after his weapon fell from his grasp which allowed residents to escape unarmed.

There has also been several stabbing incidents, residents said.

On the other hand, Phase 3 residents told THE STAR that they were being wrongfully blamed by persons from Phase 2.

"On the day of the funeral, two bus loads of mourners drove through Phase 3 and pointed their fingers through the windows in the forms of guns and pretended to fire shots at us," a Phase 3 resident explained.

THE STAR was also informed by residents that one of their neighbours was recently ganged, beaten and robbed by persons from Phase 2 .

He also dismissed the claim that police operations in the community were one sided and maintained that; "police terrorise we more than them, so me nuh know weh dem a talk bout."

At the same time, Senior Superintendent Collin Pinnock of the St Catherine South Police Division dismissed the rumours brought against the police as false.

"The allegations are not true, we target criminals wherever they come from," he emphasised.

He also reassured THE STAR that the police is aware of the situation in the community and have been conducting daily patrols.