A Jamaican man is currently on the run after reportedly assaulting several immigration officers at the Princess Juliana International Airport on the island of St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles last week Wednesday, police revealed yesterday. However, they say the incident is not linked to the island's immigration officers denying entry to about 11 Jamaicans three days later.

Saturday's incident sparked much debate on both television and radio talk shows on this island of just over 50,000 residents in the Dutch Antilles.

The man on the run has been identified as O'mar Dwight McGregor from Westmoreland in Jamaica. Police say he once lived on the island but was deported some time ago. However on Wednesday, April 18, he attempted to return to St. Maarten even though the law there prohibits persons deported from the island from returning until after three years have elapsed.

According to the police, the 25-year-old McGregor was held by immigration officers who intended to put him on a return flight to Jamaica. Police Information Officer Ricardo Henson said he was being escorted by female immigration officers when he started resisting. The female officers tried to get McGregor under control and during the struggle several of them were struck. One officer suffered a sprained ankle. McGregor escaped from the building and has been on the run since. Yesterday, almost a week after the incident, police issued an advisory seeking the public's help in apprehending McGregor.

On Saturday, April 21, 11 Jamaicans were denied entry into St. Maarten. Police said however that what happened was not influenced by last Wednesday's incident.

According to immigration officials if a person, regardless of where he is she is coming from, does not, among other things, possess proper documentation, does not have an address where he or she is staying on the island or not enough money, he or she will not be permitted entry.