Five people have been taken into custody by the Maldives Police Service and Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) under a joint special operation launched last night to quell violence and unrest in the capital.
A police media official confirmed that five people were arrested in separate incidents in Male’.
Shortly before midnight, police dispersed a crowd of ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters demanding the arrest of Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Nazim outside his residence, Galolhu Aabin.
Balcony windows of the People’s Alliance MP’s first floor apartment were smashed before riot police moved in.
The MP for Dhiggaru is currently under house arrest accused of bribery and attempting to influence independent institutions as well as cause physical harm to political opponents.
Announcing the joint special operation at a press conference last night, Major Abdul Raheem said MNDF assistance was requested by the Home Minister and appealed for cooperation from the public.
Denying any connection to the ongoing corruption investigation involving opposition MPs, Chief Inspector Hamdhoon Rasheed stressed that the measures were in response to growing public disorder triggered by political unrest and a resurgence of gang violence after the end of the World Cup.
“[…] We began [the operation] because some political parties are trying to create further chaos in the island using these roving gangs,” he said. “What we want is to ensure that this is a safe environment for those who don’t want any involvement in this or just wants to live peacefully.”
He added that gang attacks on rival camps set up to screen World Cup matches had taken place sporadically and was currently on the rise.
Opposition parties have blamed the unrest on angry mobs of MDP supporters gathering outside opposition MPs’ and judges’ residences.
While 18 people were taken into custody on Wednesday night following the disturbance at the MDP rally, Hamdhoon said all have since been released.
Asked whether police had arrested masked assailants that allegedly tried to attack President Mohamed Nasheed, the Chief Inspector answered no.
Hamdhoon further defended police handling of violent clashes outside opposition MP Abdulla Yameen’s residence after police reportedly took 40 minutes to intervene with tear gas.
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its time to take some strategic action
Its Galolhu Aabin, not Aadin.
In addition to the police trying to control the on-going unrest, shouldn't the ruling political party condemn and call to cease its confrontational and 'uncharted' political vigilantism instead of promoting it?
The tricky part is, no one is saying to instil corruption or support it. Every Maldivian regardless of their political bent wants to bring a stop to terrorism. But the recent trends of high-profile public officials calling for People's Justice (think "havaru") and uprooting of opposition politicians only does disservice to the spirit of Democracy, of promise and of hope we placed in President Nasheed and the MDP-led (now defunct) coalition.
Its Galolhu Aabin, not Aadin.
In addition to the police trying to control the on-going unrest, shouldn’t the ruling political party condemn and call to cease its confrontational and ‘uncharted’ political vigilantism instead of promoting it?
The tricky part is, no one is saying to instil corruption or support it. Every Maldivian regardless of their political bent wants to bring a stop to _corruption_.
But the recent trends of high-profile elected officials calling for People’s Justice (think “havaru”) and uprooting of opposition politicians only does a disservice to the spirit of Democracy, promise and hope we placed in President Nasheed and the MDP-led (now defunct) coalition.
Qaum halaaku vaakah, vaakah neiy!
Qaum halaaku vejje!
Police need to arrest the MDP leadership and charge them with TERRORISM. The MDP demonstration on Wednesday went through the streets calling for Yameen and the Chief Justice to be killed. This is on record and can be viewed on Haveeru Online. If this is not a chargeable offence we have the law of the jungle in Maldives now.
We have president .... he doesn't like to obey laws and he think that he is above the law...
In MDP rallies, they are calling to KILL Judges and MP's. in a democracy its not acceptable to arrest opposition unless its order from court but in Maldives as when judiciary orders are not Respected by Military, which the commander in chief is President Nasheed. Arresting MP who is the chairman of Defense committee of parliament is not done in any democratic state like US and UK. NASHEED is a DICTATOR, i think he had learned from Sri Lankan President.
The only reason for the unrest is the chief judge or whoever ordered to release Yameen and Gasim. It is obvious when people knew about the reality of these two guys; the public will be agitated by such action of this crazy judge. This judge could not predict such outcome from his action. He must have thought that showing his muscle was the correct thing to do in that situation rather than to look ahead and predict what will result by releasing those two.
The only way to quell this unrest is remove the Chief Judge and appoint a sensible person to that position
@aj,
The only way to stop this unrest is to give MDP the total control of
1. Parliament
2. Judiciary
3. Media
4. Anti Corruption Commssion
5. Civil Service Commission
6. Keep all the opposition under arrest.
Even then, I doubt they will stop these demostrations on streets, damaging private properties and initimading people.
Simply, they are not upto running a government. They are only good for street demonsrations and initimidation.
Qaum halaaku vaakah, vaakah neiy!
Qaum halaaku vejje!
Why did Minivan News not publish this comment from me before?
This should have been done when Anni first took office. I am encouraged that MNDF are doing this heroic stuff, thankyou MDP and thankyou Anni.
But, my question is, why has it been left this late? So many had been saying Yameen is behind gangsterism etc... ever since I can remember hearing about politics, and yet, only a few months ago the MDP were apparently - allegedly entering into some secret alliance with Yameen. One wonders, are MDP genuine about eradicating gangsterism or is eradicating gangsterism and corruption a political ploy to make ppl think MDP are genuine about it... Do they really care about Maldivians and their safety and dignity or do they only care about votes and therefore have to APPEAR to care?
I think, how far they go will tell. If they really damage these gangs and their sponsors and political backers forever, then they care. If they wait until after the elections and release the gangsters and the political sponsors and allow Maldives to continue being terrorized by them, then it is obvious that it was not genuine.
Lets see something genuine, MDP, lets see the damage done to these thugs be a permanent thing...
Dear Minivan News,
I was worried when you did not publish my comment at 4.27am earlier thinking that to say what I said is equivalent to political heresy!
I still do not see a reason for mob violence calling for the killing of the Chief Justice and Yaameen.
The Chief Justice announced a unanimous decision of all the Judges. They were doing their job, Yaameen and Gasim were arrested against the Law. This is exactly why Anni was elected as the President today, people do not want to be arrested at the whims and fancies of the Police!
To arrest the leaders of two Opposition parties, and one who happens to be in the Majority coalition in the Parliament, the Police should have had fool proof evidence with them before making the first step. The ONLY thing they had, when Yaameen and Gasim were arrested were the Letters, written by know hardcore MDP Members of Parliament which were all allegations in a Court of Law. Even the "I need some cash" came later.
I can bet, that not a single person will come out in protest if Yaameen is arrested and even convicted as long as the evidence is genuine.
So, I still feel that this is a mess the Government created by itself, to divert attention from the Airport deal!