The 23 December coalition’s steering committee armed supporters outside the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) office last night with wooden clubs and sticks, stacked outside, reports Haveeru.
Opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Vice President Umar Naseer told local media the group was “armed and ready with wooden clubs to defend themselves” against activists from the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who allegedly confronted them with knives.
Emphasising that the wooden weapons were only meant for defense, Naseer allegedly urged opposition members standing guard outside the building not to initiate a confrontation. He added, however, that the weapons were mean to show protesters that the coalition was willing to stand alongside their supporters on the front lines, local media reports.
Naseer alleged that the MDP activists had evidently consumed alcohol, and that police had not responded to the coalition’s phone calls.
Meanwhile, MDP labelled Naseer and the coalition’s committee as “ready for a rebellion”, local media reports.
Approximately 20 MDP protesters proceeded to shout vulgar commentary outside the DRP office before dispersing.
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