As President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik arrives in Haa alif Atoll Dhihdhoo this morning during his current tour of the Atoll, an island councilor and six men have been arrested allegedly for attempting to create unrest. Member of the island’s council with opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) majority Ahmed Jameel has claimed that 100 meters of the area surrounding the jetty had been closed off with police tape, prior to the arrival of the President.
Jameel further alleged that councilor Abdulla Waheed had been arrested without just cause as he was going home past the cordoned off area.
Councilor added that two other men had also been taken into custody near the area without reason.
“All three had been arrested from the area (harbor area) without any reason,†Jameel said.
Meanwhile, Police detailed that seven people had been taken into custody for attempting to create unrest for the arrival of the President and stymie the duties of the police.
Police further claimed that the seven people had been arrested at various intervals.
A local resident speaking to Haveeru claimed that the MDP flag in the harbor area had been removed by the Police as soon as word of the president’s visit had been received.
However, prior to the arrival of the president all the flags had been replaced with national flags, resident said.
The island’s council said the President would meet the supporters of pro-government political parties inside the cordoned off area.
While no councilors have been allowed within the taped area, President Waheed’s supporters are also being subject to a comprehensive screening before meeting the President, according to the council.
“We (councilors) were ready to cooperate. We had also taken out the national flags in preparation. But an Atoll councilor called last night and told us that our cooperation wasn’t needed,†Jameel said.
However, the identity of the Atoll councilor was not disclosed but the Dhihdhoo council revealed that a press statement in relation to the matter would be issued tomorrow.
The island further claim that as President Waheed meets his supporters, MDP members of the island are protesting against the government outside the taped area.
Reports also suggest that following the arrival of the President, the main road has been closed off for vehicles while pedestrians are also subject to thorough checks.
“This is not the way things have been done in this island during the earlier 30 years of rule and three years following that,†disappointed resident of Dhihdhoo said.
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