Police makes arrests in opening roads closed by protesters

Police made arrests on Sunday night for obstructing their efforts to open the roads closed by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters in the capital Male’.

Police opened the roads near Male’ City Council, BG Garage area, City Hotel area, and Jambu Jagaha late Sunday night.

Protesters near BG Garage area and City Hotel area had opened the roads themselves when advised by the police, but the obstructions had to be removed by the police near Male’ City Council and Jambu Jagaha, both in city’s main road, Majeedhee Magu.

A police media official said five people where arrested, three for obstructing police duties, one for throwing stones and attacking a police officer and another for threatening a police officer.

“A total of five people were arrested. Different people were arrested on three different allegations. For attacking a police officer, obstructing duties, and for threatening,” the media official said.

He said that a police officer was taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) following leg injuries received from a stone hurled by a protester. The officer’s condition is not serious, the official said.

MDP blocked off certain roads in Male’ and continued protests since Saturday afternoon, calling for immediate elections after accusing the police of obstructing, and forcing a halt on the Saturday presidential election.