Police arrest several during protest against Bill on former presidents

Haveeru Police on Monday arrested around 15 people in an effort to break-up the demonstration held near the People’s Majlis building to protest against the bill on providing benefits and security to former presidents.

Supporters of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) began gathering near the Parliament building around 12:30pm, around half an hour after the Majlis sitting went to recess, and clashed with officers of the Maldives Police Service when they tried to disperse the crowd. The situation turned violent and several people from both sides were injured during the confrontation. Protesters threw bricks, bottles and whatever else they could get their hands on at the Police. It took Police in riot gear and armed with truncheons and shields to finally disperse the crowd from the area. Tear gas was also used by the Police.

The demonstration turned violent when some of the protesters charged the Police barricades in an effort to enter the Majlis building while MPs were voting on article 9 of the amendments to the Bill on protection and privileges for former presidents. Two men dashed through the crowd and managed to vault over the Majlis wall before being blocked by Police. One of the two men suffered severe injuries to his head when he cracked it against the Majlis wall during the scuffle with Police. Both men were taken into Police custody.

After the incident with the two men, Police began in earnest to disperse the crowd from the area. When they gave orders to leave the area, the protesters retaliated by throwing bricks and empty bottles at them. Police handcuffed and detained several people who refused to obey orders or tried to obstruct the officers from doing their duty as they continued to push the crowd back from the Parliament building area.

Around 8:15am, long before protesters had arrived near the People’s Majlis building, Police had cordoned off access to the area to vehicles. Police also questioned anyone who wanted to enter the area on foot. Despite the precautions, the protestors managed to reach the main gate of the People’s Majlis building. The officers did not appear to try too hard to keep the protestors away from the area.

The protesters called for the Bill on protection and privileges for former presidents to be removed from the Majlis floor, Article 9 to be cancelled, and the arrest of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.