Male: Maldives Police Service has announced that it would not allow for the opposition’s “India Out” mega-rally to take place in the capital city. This comes after the Home Minister Sheikh Imran Abdulla stated within the Parliament that the “India Out” rally is “illegal” and that the police had informed the opposition that the rally would not be allowed to take place.
In a statement, Maldives Police Service elaborated that they believe that the rally will pose a threat to public security as people from nearby islands are scheduled to join the rally and the large number of expected participants would obstruct the traffic of major roads in the capital city. They also accused the opposition of employing gang members which would further hinder the police’s ability to maintain order during he course of the rally.
They also warned the public not to participate in the rally and that they would act against all who participate in the rally. Earlier today, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s Special Advisor MP Abdulla Jabir submitted an emergency motion to the public, calling to obstruct Friday’s “India Out” mega-rally.
Maldives Police Service has so far declined to comment on how they assessed the rally is illegal prior to its commencement.
However, the opposition has maintained that they would hold the rally as Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly without prior notice is a fundamental constitutional right. The opposition has described the decision by the Home Ministry and the Maldives Police Service as an attack on the constitution and as an attempt to single out and target key members of the opposition. Maldives News Network
