Standoff between knife-wielding groups under investigation

A widely shared video of two groups of young men carrying knives on the capital’s main thoroughfare has sparked outrage and concern over public safety.

The incident occurred a few days ago and a probe is underway, police spokesman Javid Ismail told the Maldives Independent, declining to provide any further information.

It is unclear whether any arrests have been made so far. The spokesman also declined to comment when asked if the streets of Malé were safe.

The video shows a standoff between the two groups, who threaten and hurl obscenities at each other before driving off on motorbikes. A gap appeared to have opened up between them as pedestrians and vehicles sought to avoid the space.

The confrontation took place near a busy intersection of Majeedhee Magu in the late afternoon.

Several young men were stabbed to death in gang-related violence last year. In January, a 14-year-old was assaulted in the second student stabbing case this year.

More recently, two teenagers were stabbed in Malé in separate incidents early March.

Gangs with knives in broad daylight yesterday on Majeedhee Magu. Gaumuge haalath. Where is security for citizens in this country? @PoliceMv pic.twitter.com/O5XdrZNDTO

— Susan 🎈 (@SusanIbrahim) May 23, 2018