Politics sour Ihavandhoo fishermen’s day celebrations
Ihavandhoo fishermen staged a demonstration Saturday night while an official ceremony was taking place on the northern island to mark Fishermen’s Day 2017.
17 Dec 2017, 9:00 AM
Politics overshadowed Fishermen’s Day celebrations Saturday on the island of Ihavandhoo in the northernmost atoll, putting the fisheries ministry at loggerheads with the opposition island council.
Ahead of Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee’s arrival for the 37th annual event, the opposition-controlled island council claimed it was ordered to take down ornamental arches deemed insulting towards the government.
Shainee criticised the council, comprised of five Maldivian Democratic Party councillors, for reneging on assurances of cooperation. But they denied politicising the preparations, blaming government supporters for spurring rivalry by decorating with party colours and making separate arrangements to greet the government delegation.
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