Police, under an order of the Criminal Court are continuing with the search of the Usfasgandu area which began this morning. Police have further ordered to remove any items and vacate the area by 10.00 tonight. A police official revealed that the police had decided to dismantle the area in order to stop criminal activities and restore peace and public order in the area. Official added that the Police had taken into account the items confiscated from the site and criminal activities taking place at the scene.
Police statement today had ordered the removal of all items in the area by the people who had placed them.
“Maldives Police Service has decided to dismantle the Usfasgandu area and handover the site to the parent entity in order to stop criminal activities conducted at the scene, restore public order and ensure the safety and security of the general public,†Police statement detailed.
Police had cordoned off the Usfasgandu area currently being used by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for its political activities around 7.30 this morning. In the presence of the media, Police had officially launched the search of the area two hours later.
However, some police and military personnel in plain clothes had operated in the Usfasgandu area while the media had not been allowed into the area until the official launch had begun.
While the Police has accused of criminal offences taking place in the area, the items confiscated from the site thus far mostly includes iron pipes. Media personnel had witnessed the police retrieving some filters and aluminum foil from behind some containers located in the area, believed to have been used for drug abuse.
In addition, police also confiscated a box of condoms, a small knife, some scissors, a large hammer, and some welding rods.
Some of the items marked by police also include the crow cage and some parchments with markings believed to be used in black magic.
Haveeru has also learned that Police intend to dismantle the items set up at the site by MDP, while it is believed that the party would be afforded the opportunity to remove the items beforehand.
However, police is yet to officially confirm of such intentions to the media.
The Criminal Court order issued at 3.00 yesterday afternoon had given 48 hours for the police to conduct the search.
Police had given a copy of the court order to the former MDP Chairperson and Machchangoalhi-north MP Mariya Ahmed Didi before commencing the search.
Police had further requested MDP to appoint an observer to be present while the search was being conducted.
However, Mariya had stated that an observer can only be appointed upon a decision of the MDP National Congress, while adding that such an appointment could have been made if the police had informed the party in advance.
Police media official revealed that the search was being carried out in collaboration with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and added that the military personnel had operated in the area to secure the location before police could commence its search.
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