Prime Minister P.J. Patterson deployed the army Monday across Jamaica, trying to restore calm after three days of politically charged gang violence that has left 20 or more dead in Kingston, the capital.OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS erected roadblocks in various areas of the country and demonstrators in Spanish Town, near Kingston, looted three stores, police said. Gunmen have been staging street shootouts with police and soldiers since Saturday in a poor area of Kingston.
“The government cannot stand idly by and allow criminal elements to hold this country ransom,” Patterson told reporters. “There must be full deployment ... to prevent anticipated problems and to ensure the restoration of law and order.”
A mass army deployment began immediately Monday night. Patterson said the military had been given police powers and “will concentrate mainly in the maintenance of cordons and the enforcement of curfews,” freeing up more police to go after criminals.

2 OFFICERS, SOLDIER AMONG THE DEAD
Police issued a written statement Monday saying at least 20 people had been killed. In their previous report, on Sunday, they said six people were dead, including a police officer and soldier.
Monday, a second police officer was killed. Police said gunmen shot him in his car at a roadblock in Kingston.
Jamaica’s opposition accused the government of unevenly enforcing the law by sending police and soldiers into its strongholds. Opposition leader Edward Seaga, who represents the Kingston area in Parliament, said at least 25 people were killed and 50 were injured, including children and elderly victims.