After a morning of violence that has rocked the capital, tension is once again on the rise as large numbers of police have begun to clear out the surf point area of the city.
The area has been home to an MDP protest camp since the controversial resignation of former President Mohamed Nasheed last month.
Minivan News will be providing live updates as they happen.
Refresh this page for further updates as the day progresses.
Previous updates from throughout the day can be read here.
22:49 – Meeting has finally begun at MDP Haruge.
22:19 – MDP report that their meeting will take place at MDP Haruge after police blocked their efforts to meet elsewhere.
22:08 – MDP reports that police are preventing its supporters from approaching the Usfasgandu to the west of Dharubaaruge area.
21:50 – Approach to Dharubaaruge from north along Boduthakarufaanu Magu deserted as MDP supporters gather over at Usfasgandu.
20:21 – MDP announce on Twitter that they are to hold a meeting at 9:30pm at Usfasgandu behind Dharubaaruge, other reports say 9pm.
20:00 – MDP release a statement condemning the seizure of their camp saying, ” [Male’ City] Council has confirmed to MDP that the Maldives Police Service had not informed the Council of anything prior to them arriving/dismantling Justice Square.”
“In continuing this way, they are proving the public’s lack of confidence in the Police. We call on the Human Rights Commission, Elections Commission and the Police Integrity Commission to investigate this immediately,” said MDP Spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor.
20:00 – Very few people remain at the western end of Dharubaaruge, the numbers have also declined on the northern side.
18:55 – Police have now set up barricades around the camp area to prevent entry to the site. Meanwhile, Haveeru has reported that security forces now claim to have discovered a cooking oil barrel containing a liquid substance that they believe smells like alcohol on the protest site.
18:40 – Police have been showing beer cans to local media that they have said were discovered at the MDP camp. Water canons have also been dispersed against protesters gathered near to Dharubaaruge at the other end of the camp.
18:32 – MDP MP Alham Fahmy is now outside the camp, which continues to be blockaded by security forces.
17:35 – Speaking to Minivan News, a police spokesperson was unable to confirm whether plastic bullets may have been used in certain situations to dismiss protesters during the day. The spokesperson said that police attempting to use “minimum force” where possible to control crowds.
“We have been using non-lethal weaponry,” said the spokesperson.
The claims come amidst media reports that tear gas has again been deployed at the Family Court area near to the former MDP camp.
17:20 – As police continue to dismantle the camp, local media are reporting that a bottle suspected of containing alcohol has been found along with hammers and wooden clubs. Haveeru has said that police are also asking for photos and videos that depict violence against public and private property as well as attacks on police personnel.
17:09 – MDP Spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahmy has claimed that the move reflects an ongoing reversal of human rights under the new government.
“The old days are back. They are violating freedoms of expression and association,” he told Minivan News. “They are now committing atrocities in daylight to intimidate the public.”
Fahmy said he was not surprise that security forces had been granted a court warrant to remove the camp. “The courts function as they want.”
17:04 – Police have cleared the MDP Camp area after Azima Shukoor told the press that the area belongs to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) according to certain laws and claimed the Male’ City Council does not have authority to give the area to MDP.
Police also warned that they will use equal force against that which is used against them and warned everyone gathered to leave the area.
Media persons were also asked to leave the area, but they have later granted permission to stay.
16:55 – Haveeru has reported that security forces have been given a court warrant to proceed with dismantling the camp.
16:50 – Minivan News has witnessed security forces beginning to dismantle the camp, known among MDP supporters as “Justice Square.”
16:40 – Police confirm that they have made 64 arrests reportedly in connection to the violence that has taken place in the capital today.
16:40 – A police spokesperson told Minivan News that the decision to clear the area by MNDF and police officials was taken in response to the violence that engulfed the city this morning.
“All of the unlawful acts that are taking place across the city have been planned in this place,” the spokesperson claimed.
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Very Good!! Militant MDP elements such as Rekko Moosa, Mariya needs to be controlled and detained before MDP starts a new leaf! MDP has future! But moderate and thinkers in MDP needs to stand up!!
Is this a police state now?
Reform MDP do you have no shame? When Reeko Moosa got beaten was that moderation, reform should start within the police now.
Unlawful my foot. Was it lawful of them to rise in revolt against a president, to aid in the overthrow? Or was it lawful to use brute force against peaceful protesters?
Good! Please demolish these gang "addas"! Peaceful protest is one thing, but continued violence and damage to people and property should not be tolerated. Please bring peace to our islands! Every time they try to confront the police and go beyond police lines? What for? simply to create chaos!
They have vandalised VTV stations and attached a Haveeru journalist! Freedom of expression my ass!
@Mald.
How did they attach a Haveeru journalist again? Trololo xD
When will truth and Justice Prevail....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This government really has to get the message - it has to listen to the people not just bleat on about "democracy" and hide behind the "constitution". Practise what you preach. These are thugs and crooks pretending to be a lawfully elected government when they clearly are not. They are doing all they can to cling onto power because they are afraid of losing it. Well get your act together and just listen to your people, they aren't going to eat you up, just give them early elections and be done with it. If its free and fair and you win then fine, if its not then get over it and work harder for the next round. Why do you guys have such a problem with working to get to where you want. Just delay your gratification. Hope you get the message.
Why are we not surprised when police find alcohol from the MDP site. This is typical Gayoom / Yameen tactics. We should get rid of Kaminee clan. We are also not surprised, when drug kingpins are released from prison. Asima Shukoor have prostituted her soul to Gayoom and Yameen. There is no trust on this baaghee police force. Someone should create a site and post pictures + personal details of abusing police thugs. They should not be allowed to hide behind their masks.
Wow...MNDF and Police need to start exporting all these alcohol they keep finding every where, unlimited revenue for rogue government.
It is not a good day for Maldives. I am a westerner, a foreigner in your country, but if the former president was so unpopular, why was there no 'vote of no confidence' in parliament. I walk the streets, and often go to the artificial beach. As I do so I used to pass, as I guess it is now gone, the 'surf camp'. Absolutely no violence or intimidation at all. Now, how do I feel when I pass loads of 'state apparatus' with riot shields, guns firing rubber bullets, batons etc. Extremely intimidated, and I certainly feel as though they are not there to protect me or anyone else, they are there to protect the ex vice president, who quite simply, but metaphorically, stabbed the ex president in the back.
Police took our vote on 7 February 2012! Now they are trying to take outright of expression and assembly! I don't believe a single word of the Police! They have brought shame to the one of the oldest Institutions in this Country!
good work police and the security forces....time to clear the yellow drunkards from Lonuziyaarahkolhu and throw their cowardly yellow spiritual leader behind bars and throw the keys....Time to clear makdives from terrorist MDP
Only 25 percent of the Maldivian voting population belong to MDP.
The rest are not MDP.
Out of this 25 percent also, not all support Anni's style of terrorism.
So do not talk as if all Maldivians are asking Dr Waheed for an election date.
It is only a few people from MDP who support Anni's terrorism.
When MDP is out on the streets, we have our security forces badly injured, our property damaged and our government buildings set ablaze.
Why?
VTV and DhiTV are the propaganda machines of the country....They cannot justify if civilians are injured or beaten up by police!! They only sided with MNDF and police....For how long??we are watching and the world too is watching....Defence minister accused Raajje TV for spreading misleading information about MNDF!! What about VTV and her sister DhiTV spreading propaganda against President Nasheed?? its not fair at all!!!
Now we'll have to begin Jihaad.
@Rania
From where did you get so accurate statistics? Hehe
The police and military proved time and again that they are thugs. International community should stop this militia and protect the citizen of this country.
Jihaad isnt he the finance Minister. dhen lalala. I am an MDP member and I hate the leaders for distroying us. I blame the MDP thugs for the violence they created during the peacefull march. Hope we get a new leader sooon. WE DONT WANT ANNI and his GANG. We want someone like Dr. Didi or Ibrahim Solih. A decent person not a playboy leader.
Its time to clear the terror camps now. MDP should be more smarter. just cooking rice in and talking bad about everyone else will not win hearts and minds. mdp needs serious image makeover to disassociate itself with the paateys who use mdp in the name of freedom. Freedom is not about destroying people's property and intimidating people. its about respecting others aswell.
This is indeed the work of the Yaameen/Gayoom clan, planting items on the site, spraying protestors with alcohol, releasing drug lords. The drug problem had noticeably abated in the past year and the Second Chance programme for petty offenders gave some of our youth hope for the future. This lot came and shelved all that was good in terms of our youth, almost straightaway. They are hell bent on destroying our country's youth (the future). Brand the MDP thugs and yellow whatever you like but we saw peaceful protests and the celebration of the best of the Maldivian soul with our own eyes. That was nationbuilding in action, something these guys don't have a clue about and probably don't care about anyway.
Yet amid the mayhem there is hope.A timely quote arrived today:
"Be open to growth.
The hard seeds of misfortune blossom into
the flowers of courage and compassion".
Courage we see in spades; compassion will eventually follow. All things take time. We have to trust in that truth.
Be open to growth,
The hard seeds of misfortune blossom into the flowers of courage and compassion.
Courage we have seen in spades at the Raalhugandu over the past few weeks and on the streets. Call them names but the MDP has brought out the nation building spirit of the Maldivians, not the spirit of alcohol planted by the unimaginative thugs working for Yaameen and Gayoom et al. This kind of dodgy framing and shaming of MDP smacks of their 30 year tactics and we must not fall for their propaganda, although some of us will.As`for compassion where was it when they were drugging and killing our youth and where is it in todays police,MNDF and their masters and those who support them?
Now one gang (Gayoom's gang) is powerful..and to surpress the Nasheed's or Mariya's Gang!! Whats wrong with MDP?? MDP has sincere people who use to love the country and who stood against napotism and corruption. But when Mariya, Ibrahim Hussain Zaki and Rekko Moosa was making corrupt deals and when they gave away these corrupt money and job for the activist..the activist see nothing wrong!! Reform MDP first!!!
Hey Protest crashers...You know what... I dont really care about politics or any of this power power....Just want to let waheed and his gang know that they have messed up big time...I have got people I love injured because of you guys..This I cant take.. Also let you know.. I wont be protesting because of this... I know Jameel moved his family to Bangalore.. Some of you guys still got them in Lanka..Maumoon has apartments in Singapore and Malaysia..Gasim got this Lanka house.. Oh yeah Jabir bought some house in there too..Mahloof loves to take his wife to office..Collecting information for now.. Be careful guys.. Not everyday is about work stress..Non negotiable..
When coalition supporters protest we have government takeovers and arbitrary arrests and beatings.
Why?
I heard Me. Nasheed said that he will be in front of the demonstration. I strongly condemn the supporters of MDP of planned violation created. Now its time to listen to its members. I call upon peace
Monkey Waheed and his mistress Dunya must go now!
Gaand e rasool @ I believe as a MDP member today I feel ashamed to be in the party, Im sure this is not we most of us members want to see. What more options do we have now?I think its time we all consider an alternative than one hash vocal.
let them be. now theyll come out to streets and damage public property. and wont let us "bagees" aka everyone excluding mdp supporters sleep. seriously! they should let them have the place and let them have fun! please security forces i beg you!
The real people who should be ashamed should be Rekko Moosa (for the unbided projects he got in Gayoom and Nasheed regime in corruption deals) Mariya (for the political post that was distributed to her whole family including Haula who was barely 30 who justed completed first degree in food science to the foreign ministry Deputy Minister post and many corruption deals like the MEGA airline deal and FPID issue from Gayoom regime), Ibrahim Hussain Zaki (for his many uncountable corruption deals partnering with Majlis speaker Shahid to Munawar and also his corruption deals with Indian Exim money with Indian government)!! SO who is to be ashamed?? Well, NOR Gayoom or Nasheed can say they both are clean and honest politicans! Just power hungry B@@@@ds!!
If the government 'national unity government' as Dr.Waheed calls it is telling the truth, where are the citizens of that government?? Those who sit silently in big and comfortable chairs are the ones who are causing all these troubles in this small nation.... Azima Shukur, Dr.Hassan,Dr.Jameel are among them... If they want their role in democracy why grab it from us in its youngest stage? There are other ways to be part of the democracy other than grabbing it from the ones who brought it to the country....
Reform MDP now, Nasheed was a regime, really, I thought he won a fair and open election. Interesting how you attack the MDP and 'Anni', and not the current 'unelected' government. But hey, I'm sure you'll unite behind Waleed, even though he wasn't elected and stabbed the ex-president in the back. Simple, the last government was so unpopular there should have been a vote of no confidence which would have forced an early election. Got an answer as to why there wasn't a vote of no confidence? No you haven't.
Nasheed has failed the people of MDP.He has destroyed their hopes and aspirations and has left them stranded in the middle of the road without giving any guidance where to go from there!He made empty promises and gave false hopes to people and is now just trying to put the blame on some others and find a leg to stand on or channel his escape amidst the chaos.HE could have handled it all so well if he did pay respect to the law and democratic principles which he himself had preached when not in power.He used the passion of the people of MDP as a shortcut to satisfy his and his close associates hunger for power and riches.Quite understandable of a man who didnt hesitate to label his countrymen as terrorists in order to win international backing for his cause..and his vain attempts in self promotion in the international arena was what finally did him in as it seems the international community and governments had realized what a lunatic the man was, much before the Maldivians could properly digest the fact!
Reform MDP NOW @ Cheers, Lets stop Moosa & Maria first
simple and honest@ We are not talking or Azima Shukoor, why does some members of MDP relates or compares with Maumoon every time we talk about the undemocratic moves MDP makes. You are right we are in the preliminary stage of democracy, that does not mean we give way to create an environment of hatred and corruption (Ref, Reeko Moosa) towards our country. if you all love the party lets call for a real democratic movement. Ask Moosa how he still remains to be the chairperson of MDP.
Boss @ Jihad, I thought we already did and we are out of options now. Wonder what now.
@ Reform MDP now
Sorry, but you have totally invalidated yourself banging on and on about Reeko and Maria. We are all bored of your editorial contribution. Keep it to yourself fronow on please.
Dear MNDF, well done. Please wipe off this terrorist MDP from the face off this earth. Then only we can have some peace in Maldives.
Great work police & MNDF it is high time this terrorist den to be removed.
Nasheed and his MDP has aken away the rights of citizens living sorrounding the surf zone.
What the security forces have done is simply wrong. At a time of political turmoil, you do not take over their camp to promote peace and order in the country. You do that to incite violence and make people angry. Signs of a dictatorship and military state. Shame to be a maldivian.
MNDF well done, I cannot say how thankful we are for all the hard work you all have done, worked night and day to shake off these ganjaaboa followers. Ganjacamp was a disgrace to our nationa and violated human rights.