Police revealed today that 31 people from five islands of Haa Alif Atoll have been arrested accused of creating unrest and attempting to stymie President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik's tour of the islands in the Atoll. Police media official confirmed that people from all five islands have been taken into custody for creating unrest, obstructing the duties of the Police and violating acceptable social conduct.
To that end, 14 from Ihavandhoo, four from Hoarafushi, seven from Dhihdhoo and three from Baarah and Kelaa respectively had been arrested, according to the media official.
Councils of Dhihdhoo, Ihavandhoo and Baarah all three with opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) majority claimed that all the residents of the respective islands had been invited to meet the President on his visit.
However, the Councils alleged that the Police had prevented MDP supporters from meeting the President when he arrived at the islands.
Ihavandhoo Council President Mohamed Sameer detailed that as President Waheed had requested to meet with all the residents of the island, invitations had been forwarded to each and every household. But he claimed that Police had obstructed MDP supporters of the island from even reaching the jetty for the arrival of the President.
“No supporter of MDP had been even allowed to get near the President. Police had prevented them from doing so. Our Council made the necessary preparations to welcome the President. I’m the President of this council, but even I was denied the opportunity to meet the President,†Sameer said.
Mohamed Shafaz Baarah Council President alleged that three people had been arrested from the island for protesting against the government. He further said that supporters of MDP had been denied entry for the meeting held by the President in the island.
Police however, have refuted the allegations by the Councils that MDP supporters had been prevented from meeting the President.
Police further stressed that no one had been disallowed from meeting the President based on political affiliation as Police do not discriminate among supporters of political parties.
“Police do not employ a different course of action based on a specific party. The people who had tried to create unrest and obstruct the duties of the police had only been taken into custody,†Police official added.
President Waheed had returned to Male last night after concluding the tour of Haa Alif Atoll. In addition, to holding meetings in the islands, President had sought the wishes and needs of the local residents of the Atoll.
The President further assured efforts to expedite the presently stalled services to the people within the available budget.
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