The army arrested a young man after he and two others attacked a security guard at Malé’s ADK hospital and vandalised a vehicle on Wednesday morning, according to spokesperson Major Ibrahim Afsal.
Ismail Shaheem, 26, from Thaa atoll Thimarafushi, managed to throw a knife at officers before they caught up with him two blocks from the hospital.
The Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) was on Monday asked by government to intervene after a series of street attacks which had hospitalised eight young people in three days.
Masked
The group of three masked young people slashed a hospital security guard, leaving a six-inch cut on his cheek and one on his elbow, as well as damaging a hospital vehicle at around 3.30am on Wednesday.
They were then pursued by troops outside the ADK hospital before dividing into two groups, with two heading in one direction and the third in another, according to Afsal.
An army vehicle followed the two, but lost them when they turned down a small alley.
But Shaheen, who was followed by a group of army officers, was arrested near Heinveiru grounds, and has now been handed over to police for investigation, Asfal said.
Army Reinforcements
State Minister Ibrahim Shafiu said the army had been brought in to “reinforce police” due to a “shortage of police officers” on the ground.
But a large number of police staff gathered on the same evening near Imaadhuhdheen School to celebrate the force’s 75th Anniversary with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who is also commander-in-chief of the force.
Politicians, such as presidential contender Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) have argued police officials have failed to stop the violence due to corruption, and “collusion” between police officers and gang leaders.
“It’s a very significant observation that the moment the defence forces are on the street we see an immediate effect,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment