Author: Ahmed Nazeer

Police investigate “serious issue” at ‘Kudakudhinge Hiya’ orphanage

The Maldives Police Service and the Health Ministry have commenced a joint investigation into “serious issues” concerning the mistreatment of children at ‘Kudakudhinge Hiya’, the only orphanage in the Maldives.

Yesterday, police and the gender department of the health ministry held a joint press conference and declared that serious issues concerning the orphanage had been logged with the police as well as with the gender ministry.

Chief Inspector of the Child Protection Unit Ali Shujau and Deputy Minister for Health Mariya Ali would disclose no information regarding the case, other than saying that an allegation was lodged at the Ministry on October 2, and that it “definitely does not concern child sexual abuse.”

Speaking to a person familiar with the matter, Minivan News understands that police summoned staff working at the orphanage to clarify whether any mistreatment or abusing was ongoing in the orphanage.

Staff working at the orphanage were asked whether children who misbehaved were punished, and if so what the punishments consisted of. The police also asked how the staff dealt with children who misbehaved.

Minivan’s source denied rumours currently circulating around Villingili that orphans were being abused, however the source did say that a number of children over the age of 10 were living at the orphanage, including a 19 year-old man.

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Female motorbike accident victim dies of injuries

Shaheena Hassan, 20, who was severely injured in a fatal motorbike accident on Saturday, died last night while she was being treated a coma at Indira Gandi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

Hassan Amir, 22, was also injured severely during the accident.

Shaheena was sitting on the back seat of her friend’s motorcycle traveling from east to west near the swimming tracks in Male’. Witnesses said that Amir was riding at high speed with a group of motorbikes travelling in the opposite direction along Boduthakurufaanu Magu, according to witnesses.

As the driver of the motorbike with Shaheena turned left, Amir’s motorbike hit its front wheel, causing Shaheena to fall from the motorcycle. Amir lost control of his motorcycle and and crashed into a taxi parked in front of Hakatha petrol shed.

Amir’s landed under the car, while Shaheena lay in the middle of the road.

Police officers passing by stopped and attended the incident, lifting the left side of the car to extract Amir. Shaheena was taken was taken to hospital in the taxi, while Amir was carried to hospital in a private car.

Earlier, police reported that a sharp object had penetrated her neck and caused internal bleeding in her brain.

Amir’s was in a serious condition, and attempts were being made to take him abroad for further medical treatment.

The person driving the motorcycle with Shaheena was not injured.

The two motorbikes and the number plate of the parked car was damaged during the incident.

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MNDF commence training in Male’

The Maldives National Defence Force has commenced training exercises in the capital Male’.

MNDF reported that the trainers will be armed and would conduct weapon simulations in Male’ and on some areas of the sea nearby.

The MNDF assured that no weapon dangerous for the people would be used during the training sessions.

MNDF also thanked people for their co-operation.

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Thinadhoo house severely damaged in fire

”Drama” house in Thinadhoo of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll has been severely damaged in a fire yesterday morning, reports the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

MNDF reported that although nobody was injured in the incident, all the household materials in the house were totally burnt.

No neighbors were affected due to the incident, according to MNDF.

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President calls on political parties to strengthen internal democracy

President Mohamed Nasheed has highlighted the importance of internal party elections and expressed hope that political parties in the country will be able to consolidate internal democracy in his radio address.

‘’One of the main aims of party system was to identify qualified people for public offices and build future leaders,’’ said Nasheed. “Such candidates must have a consistent political philosophy, purpose and perspective.”

Nasheed said that election procedures may differ from one party to another adding that It is something that have to be decided by the party members.

Nasheed also congratulated Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leadership for their recent party elections.

Meanwhile, Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP), led by Dr Hassan Saeed, has issued a press statement responding to the remarks of President Nasheed.

‘’MDP has so far conducted no work to promote and uphold  democracy and has never tried deliver the benefits and advantages of it to the citizens,’’ the  statement said. “Former MDP memebers who attempted to strengthen internal democracy in the party have now left due to the dictatorial characteristics of Nasheed.’’

The statement also claimed that ever since Nasheed became the Chairperson of MDP, the party was a ‘’one man show.’’

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Police rescue man from suicide attempt

The Maldives Police Service rescued a man from an apparent suicide attempt in Male’, after he attempted to hang himself from a balcony on Friday morning.

The man was discovered hanging from the balcony by police officers patrolling the area. The rope was cut and the officers took the man to the hospital.

According to police he was not severely injured, and was treated at the hospital and released.

Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam said the person was now under arrest.

“When the police rescued him, he was not injured much,” said Shiyam. “We are now trying to find out the cause of his suicide attempt.’’

Shiyam declined to provide further information.

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Police to investigate vandalism of Supreme Court

Police have launched an investigation into the last week’s vandalism of the Supreme Court, the former palace of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, after black oil was sprayed onto  the walls of the building,

The vandalism occurred during a week of opposition-led protests, triggered by a disagreement with the government over the process of endorsing the reappointment of cabinet ministers. The Supreme Court last week ordered the parliament to delay the cabinet endorsement until the court delivers a ruling.

The court also issued a statement calling the act “disgraceful”, claiming that it “tarnishes the reputation of the court.”

The Supreme Court has now filed the case with police. Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam said police were investigating the matter, but that so far nobody had been arrested in connection with the crime.

The court also said the official name board of the court was also sprayed with the oil.

DRP MP Dr Abdulla Mausoom said DRP’s protests were not an objection to the ruling of the Supreme Court.

“We protested to express our concern over the actions of the government for disrespecting the constitution and deliberately attempting to delay the cabinet endorsement,’’ said Mausoom.

Mausoom said DRP’s protest last week was concluded “precisely on the decided time”, and that it had no connection with the act of vandalism.

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EC disputes blame for lack of public awareness of referendum

The Elections Commission (EC) has issued a statement condemning the remarks made by President of the Adhaalath Party Sheikh Hussein Rasheed, after he criticised it for failing to raise adequate public awareness about the recent referendum.

Sheikh Rasheed said that as a result, the state had spent more than Rf 11 million (US$856,000) holding a referendum on administrative consolidation that most of the country’s eligible citizens had failed to vote in.

“My intention is to make institutions more accountable. It’s not a problem if the commission issues press releases about me, but I would prefer they listen and learn something from what I said,’’ Sheikh Rasheed told Minivan News.

He claimed that most citizens were unaware of what the referendum was about – a proposal for grouping smaller islands to form large population centres – which led to a 30 percent turnout across the country. Of 88,882 eligible voters, less than 27,000 participated in the referendum.

However the EC stated that it would contradict the commission’s independence  if it was required to inform citizens about the benefits and disadvantages of a referendum’s topic, and described attempts by political figures to disgrace the commission by suggesting otherwise as “irresponsible”.

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Local council elections scheduled for February 5, 2011

The Elections Commission (EC) has announced that the local council elections will take place on February 5, 2011, two months after the period stipulated in the Local Council Election Act.

EC President Fuad Thaufeeq told Minivan News today that the commission took into consideration the number of public holidays, including the end of the year school holidays, as well as the rights of candidates.

“If we ignored these holidays and conducted the local council elections, many people will experience difficulties,’’ he said.

He added that the courts and government offices would face difficulties if the EC did not take public holidays into account.

“If the commission decided if a candidate was not eligible, the person would have to file the case at the High Court and the court will determine whether he is eligible,” Fuad explained. “But if that sort of issue was raised when the courts are closed, that would be a much bigger problem. So we decided to hold the elections in February next year.’’

While the constitutional deadline for council elections elapsed in July 2009, enabling legislation for the elections was ratified by President Mohamed Nasheed on July 29, 2010.

The Local Council Elections Act stipulates that elections must take within a 122-day period after ratification.

”Dates are not applied, all the due dates have been passed,” said Fuad. “If we have to conduct it according to the deadlines we cannot do this at all.”

In accordance with the Decentralisation Act, the list of 184 administrative constituencies was published in the government gazette on Thursday.

Following the public referendum on October 9 on the government’s proposal for administrative consolidation, Addu Atoll is listed as a single island.

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