Police brief local media on Police Operations of 19 March 2012

Superintendent of Police Ahmed Mohamed briefed local media at the Police Iskandar building on the police operations which took place on 19 March 2010. Operations started in early morning of 19 March 2012 with number one priority given to secure the Peoples Parliament building against any disruption to the Presidential address at the Parliament. The second major operation took place when the police raided the Lonuziyaaraai area where political actors had been
camping the same evening. The activities that convened in that area was suspected to be the root of the conspired attacks on state and private properties on the 19 March 2012.

Briefing the press, Superintendent of Police Ahmed Mohamed stated that the demonstrations that took place near the Parliament Building initially found to be peaceful, took a turn for the worse when some protesters breached police safety lines and entered into the green zone violently attacking the security forces securing the area. He stated that the security services only sought to disperse the demonstration once the protesters started to use armaments like, bricks from pavements, PVC pipes, etc to violently attack the police officials on duty.

He further stated that some demonstrators had inflicted devastating damages to the VTV building in the disturbance which took place at Sosun Magu. The MPS deeply condemned such acts of terrorism against any individual and will work for it that those involved receive the harshest punishment permitted by law.

Apart from attacks in both these locations, 11 police officers were attacked in several other parts in Male’. One police officer who received a blow to the head sustained serious head injury and has now left abroad for further medical care after being treated at the IGMH Hospital in the capital city, Male’.

With regard to the Police Operation at the Lonuziyaarai area near the surf spot locally known as ‘Raalhugandu Sarahahdhu’, Superintendent of Police Ahmed Mohamed said that the operation was executed with regard to complaints received that major illegal activities was taking place
in the area. It was also stated that even though the place is considered to be a sanctuary for political actors, the violence in Male’ was also linked to the protesters who started the demonstrations from the Lonuziyaaraai area. He further added that the Police and MNDF
are working together to reinstate the area to its original state by removing the tents set up to make camping ground by those political actors.

SP Ahmed Mohamed also stated that Police will return all property owned to their rightful owner in accordance to the proper procedures and had not inflicted any damage to any item confiscated from the area. He stated that the Maldives Police Service by law had the eminent responsibility to secure the peace of the nation and that they will not tolerate any disturbance to this peace just so that some could execute their political agendas.

Currently there are 100 people in police custody regarding their involvement in the violence of 19 Match protests. Concluding the press briefing, SP Ahmed gave assurance that the Police will remain confident in providing law and order to the country.