Police investigate allegations that politicians physically attacked and threatened officers
02 Mar 2011, 3:30 PM
Ahmed Nazeer
The Maldives Police Service yesterday issued a press statement saying it was now investigating allegations that politicians had physically attacked and threatened its officers.
Police have claimed that “some” politicians were seeking to mislead the public over recent conflicts in Kaafu Atoll Thulusdhoo and Shaviyani Atoll Funadhoo.
”The conflicts occurred when the Atoll Councilors entered the former Atoll Offices in these islands which are under charge of the Finance Ministry. The President has already allocated an administrative office for the council under Decentralisation Act article number 127,” said Police in the statement.
“When the Atoll Councilors started to use the state assets like this, the Home Ministry requested police to protect the state assets and to take necessary actions.”
The investigation follows a war of words between the government and some recently elected local councils over their right to move to offices other than those assigned to them
Atoll councilors had been told repeatedly that if they wish to use state assets, they should be used in line with proper procedure, police claimed.
”But rather than solving the issue peacefully, they [Atoll Councilors] have vandalized and used some state assets, while the police were taking necessary measures,” the statement read.
Police therefore said they were calling on politicians not to use the elected councilors as a tool to create splits and civil strife in society.
”Although some politicians told police to act in a way that would politically benefit them, the responsibility of police to uphold the constitution will be carried out within the laws and for the best interest of the society, whilst preserving peace and harmony,” the statement added.