A flashback on the occasion October 19, 1983, showed that Maurice was freed from House arrest, accused of attempting to stir up trouble, with the understanding of the military junta that he was responsible for hatching a rumor that they were trying to kill him.
After being isolated for a few days, the public got frustrated and impatient of the absence of the country’s leader and a massive effort was galvanized to set him lose.
That came with a large protest and after being freed, the intention was for Bishop to address a rally at the market squared, but as commander of the Armed Forces, he changed his mind and headed for the Fort, where things turned ugly.
Maurice and close military associates occupied what was known as the operations room and in conversation mentioned that the military will continue its work but without the Army Chief Ewart Layne and Major Cornwall, Chief Political Comisario and would have been aware of the joint leadership matter…which it’s said Maurice agreed to in principle but abstained when it was put to the vote.
Layne and Cornwall were both Central Committee members.
The former PRA military man in this narrative is Devon Romain, who, on account of him being inquisitive, was in the heart of the disturbance and was lucky to survive.
Romain, speaking with Shaggy Duncan on the “Plead Your Cause” Programme on Wee FM this morning explained that it was total confusion at the Fort and they had to evacuate.
