Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed claimed yesterday that many complaints of criminal offences being carried out in the Usfasgandu area currently being used by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for its political activities had been received. In response to a question from a journalist during a press conference held at the Home Ministry yesterday, Jameel said that such complaints of criminal offences had not been received when the Housing Ministry had put forth a request to enforce the order of the handing over of the Usfasgandu area by the Male City Council after the Council had failed to comply with the order by the Housing Ministry.
Minister further added that the issue raised at the time had been the lease of a State land plot in violation of the normal regulations and complaints of criminal activities had been received afterwards.
However, Jameel failed to disclose the type of criminal offences allegedly taking place at the Usfasgandu area.
“No complaints of any criminal activities had been raised with us at the time. But now many complaints have been received including criminal offences,†Minister detailed.
He revealed that as the Home Ministry had been requested to intervene in the Usfasgandu issue with the advice of the Attorney General, Police upon orders would take necessary action within the contours of the law.
Minister stressed that the present government would take every action in accordance with the law, and hence everyone must accept any delays that may arise from following a course of action within the legal boundaries.
Jameel further assured that neither him nor the Police would hesitate in enforcing the law, but noted that the legal contour must not be clouded.
He further alleged that the former administration had rushed to take action even when there had been legal grey areas and assured that the present government would not enforce its authority hastily.
The City Council has refused to relinquish the administration of the Usfasgandu area, even after the cabinet had decided that the area had been leased in violation of the regulations and had ordered the Council to handover Usfasgandu to the Housing Ministry.
Following the failure of the City Council to comply with the order, Police had filed to obtain a court order from the Criminal Court to dismantle the Usfasgandu area when Police intervention in the issue had been requested.
However, Criminal Court had denied the Police request for the court order citing that the court had no jurisdiction to do so.
Police had stated that they were currently assessing the case and would take action in accordance with the law.
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