Today's Parliament session cancelled

The People's Majlis is to be opened by the President today, with President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik delivering his first Presidential address. MDP has warned that they will obstruct this event. The Presidential address is to be delivered at 10.00 today.

9.24 - MDP members have left the Tsunami monument area. A large number of men and women are making their way from Boduthakurufaan magu to Majeedee magu. Their destination is not clear.

9.29 - Police have stopped a group of MDP women who tried to enter Sosun magu near Majeediyya. A group of MDP men attempted to enter Majlis area from Majeedee magu. This area is also blocked.

9.33 - The group of MDP women could not enter the Majlis area. They are now sitting near Majeediyya traffic light on Sosun magu.

9.37 - Most Members of Parliament (MPs) have arrived at the Majlis. Members belonging to MDP arrived together and on foot.

9.40 - The window of Redwave, a shop owned by Eydhafushi MP Saleem, has been broken. The shop is located on Majeedee magu.

9.44 - MDP members have forced their way past the barricades placed at the traffic light near Majeediyya school on Sosun magu. They are now at Majeediyya school main gate. Police are trying to disperse the crowd in this area.

9.48 - MDP members near Alikiligefaanu magu are throwing things at the Police. The Police have used pepper spray. MDP members are throwing large stones and wooden poles at the Police.

9.49 - Police have blocked 15 areas in Male'. They have taken strict security measures in these areas.

9.53 - The protesters at Alikilegefaanu magu are being swept back by the Police. They are now near Rainbow shop, near Majeedee magu.

9.53 - President Dr Waheed has arrived at the Majlis. He was received by Speaker of Parliament Shahid. Loud music played by MDP is heard all over the area.

9.55 - An MDP member is arrested in Alikiligefaanu magu area. Police and military are active in maintaining security in this area.

9.55 - Unrest is observed in the Majlis chamber.

10.00 - About 30 military officers clad in riot gear have arrived at Alikilegefaanu magu. Young members of MDP are armed with iron bars and batons.

10.08 - Majlis was scheduled to begin at 10.00; it has however still not begun.

10.10 - MDP members at Rainbow area are throwing various objects at the Police. This MDP protest is being monitored by the Human Rights Commission.

10.16 - Several MDP members are leaving the protest following the commencement of a "protest gang" by several other members.

10.18 - Car broken by the protestors in Alikiligefaanu magu / Sun Photo: Afzal

10.20 - Police have dispersed the crowd on Alikilegefaanu magu. The road is now clear.

10.21 - Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has said that the President will deliver his address in spite of the unrest in the Majlis chamber. He said that the President will not be intimidated by the unrest.

10.22 - A member of MDP being arrested, when they broke into the area blocked by the Police at Alikilegefaanu magu -- Sun photo: Afzal

10.23 - Protesters who confronted the Police at Alikilegefaanu magu area have been arrested and taken under Police supervision. A Police Media Coordinator said that about 15 people who threw objects at the Police have been taken away.

10.28 - MDP members are standing inside the Majlis chamber and protesting. They are raising their voices and shouting.

10.29 - MDP members are now on Majeedee magu, forming several groups. They are heard chanting "money, money", and Police are heard replying, "yes, sir". The Police are now heard saying, "money, money; yes, sir" themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAXxf_oLsSY&feature=player_embedded

10.31 - Several Police officers are injured following confrontations near Wood Apple restaurant. Protesters threw stones at the Police.

10.39 - Parliament Members of MDP have removed the national flag and President's chair in the Majlis chamber. Fights are ongoing between members. MDP members have sieged the chamber.

10.43 - The flag and chair have been returned to where they were before. However the chamber is still in chaos.

10.51 - Three Police officers have been seriously injured near Wood Apple and have been taken to the hospital.

10.54 - Police have advised people to refrain from creating violence at Majlis area. They said that protesters have even thrown petrol at them.

10.58 - Police say that about 18 people have been arrested so far following today's unrest in Male'.

11.10 - Images from unrest in the Majlis chamber today (Photo caption: MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor -- Twitter photo Nihan)

11.12 - Cabinet Members waiting for the Majlis to commence -- photo Twitter Nihan

11.16 - MDP members start gathering at Alikilegefaanu magu again. Police are trying to move them back.

11.18 - MP Hamid said that President Waheed can deliver his Presidential Address "over the dead bodies" of MDP members. He reiterated that the President will not be allowed to deliver the Presidential Address.

11.25 - MP Nihan has said that MDP members are creating unrest because they cannot accept their loss. He said that this should not be allowed. He also said that they broke the national flag pole in the Majlis chamber.

11.28 - Several members are complaining that mobile phone network service is not available inside the Majlis chamber. The live broadcast of Majlis on TV is also allegedly currently disrupted - this is not yet confirmed.

11.33 - IGMH Hospital has cancelled OPD services due to the emergency situation today.

11.36 - A large group of MDP women have gathered near Majeedee magu/ Sosun magu crossroad. Police are also active in these areas.

11.42 - A large military squad has lined up near Majeediyya. Military officers are active in various protest areas.

11.45 - IGMH Hospital has said that four people have been treated in Emergency following injuries amid the unrest in Male'. All patients except for one have been released after treatment.

11.47 - Ilham has said that the Parliament should be continued even if it drags on until tonight. He said that the Speaker of Majlis has been informed of this by Mulaku MP Yameen. He also called Speaker of Majlis Shahid to try to facilitate the Parliament session.

12.05 - Four Police officers have been injured, and ten officers have sustained minor injuries. 34 people have been arrested for failing to comply with Police orders during the unrest.

12.08 - From near the People's Majlis:

MP Eva is observed talking with an Official from Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU).

12.13 - Twitter, Police Commissioner Riyaz:

The Police Commissioner has urged Human Rights Commission and Police Integrity Commission to closely monitor today's unrest.

12.17 - Information has been received that the Speaker of Parliament is meeting with the Parliamentary Group leaders. MPs say that the Speaker of Majlis is deterred from entering the Parliament Chamber.

12.22 - Mahloof on DhiTV - Mahloof has said that PPM will continue with the Parliament session in spite of the obstructions imposed by MDP members. He advised the Speaker of Parliament to act 'courageously' in the current situation.

12.28 - MP Ilyas Labeeb has said that mobile and internet services have been cut off in the Majlis chamber.

12.34 - Ali Waheed and other members of MDP are standing at the Majlis doorway and reading articles of the Constitution out loud.

Images of unrest in the Parliament -- Twitter photo: Nihan

12.36 - Police Alert:

Several people arrested in today's protest are suspected of being under the influence of drugs. They are currently being tested for this.

12.39 - Indian High Commissioner Mulay and a Bangladeshi Diplomat have left the People's Majlis premises. Information is received that they met with the Parliamentary Group leaders.

12.43 - Twitter, Police Commissioner Riyaz:

The President of Human Rights Commission has expressed approval via an sms, regarding Police conduct in controlling the unrest today.

12.49 - MP Alhan has left the Parliament office. He is headed towards the protest area near Majeediyya School.

12.56 - A group of MDP women have placed mats and sat down near Naadhee area. Water and juice are being provided to them.

12.58 - Defence Minister Nazim was observed speaking with several Members of Parliament at the chamber entrance.

13.04 - President Dr Waheed's Spokesperson Abbas Adil riza said that the President is will and ready to deliver the Presidential address. He is waiting for the Speaker of Parliament to grant him the opportunity to do so. He also said that the situation in the Parliament chamber is conductive for him to deliver the speech.

13.16 - MDP members are gathering near Thai wok restaurant.

13.20 - Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam and Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz have held a meeting in the Parliament office. Several Ministers are also holding meetings in the Parliament office.

13.25 - Twitter, Police Commissioner Riyaz:

The Commissioner has said that the people arrested during today's protest will be dealt with in accordance with article 10 of Police legislation.

13.40 - From the People's Majlis:

Information has been received that discussions are underway between IPU Members and MDP Parliamentary Group President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

13.49 - From Alikilegefaanu magu:

Lunch has been arranged for MDP protesters on Alikilegefaanu magu. They are currently enjoying fried rice.

13.55 - 50 Military SPG have formed a cordon at the Majlis west gate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siKV_jJFu7s&feature=player_embedded

14.19 - MDP members Maria and Eesa are meeting with protesters near Majeediyya school on Sosun magu.

14.33 - 14 police officers have been treated and released from the hospital. Information has been received that none of them suffered serious injuries.

14.46 - Riyaz Rasheed, VTV:

He said that the Council General has advised to remove the necessary members from the Parliament building in order to commence the Parliament session.

14.53 - MPs of MDP are obstructing Speaker of Majlis Shahid from entering the chamber. The situation at the chamber entrance is heating up.

14.56 - Doors of the Parliament building have been closed.

14.57 - MNDF Security has closed the main gate when it was opened by MDP member Riyaz. MNDF Security has lined up in front of the door, obstructing access.

15.00 - Events inside the Parliament building cannot be seen anymore. Members can be heard shouting at each other.

15.01 - MDP members have once again prevented Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid from entering the chamber to open the Parliament.

15.02 - Some members say that preparations for opening the Parliament are underway. MDP members are still obstructing this.

15.06 - President's Spokesperson has said on DhiTV that it is 12 MPs who are protesting against the commencement of the Parliament session. He said that their aim is to discourage the President. He also said that Speaker of Majlis Shahid is working on preparations to commence the Parliament.

15.14 - More women are joining the MDP protest at Sosun magu/ Majeedee magu junction.

15.18 - MDP members have again prevented Speaker of Parliament Shahid from entering the chamber. He has returned to continue with discussions.

15.19 - Member of Inter Parliamentary Group Mr Martin Chaungaun has encouraged discussions, but asserted that President Dr Mohamed Waheed should be given the chance to deliver his Presidential Address.

15.25 - Military has arrived at Telecom Building area, following confrontations between the Police and MDP protesters in this area.

15.26 - Several members of MDP were lying down on the floor in the Parliament building. Confrontations took place between MDP members and pro-government members. Voices were raised, fights broke out, and Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Rasheed even walked around bare-chested with an unbuttoned shirt for some time.

Several MPs at the entrance of the chamber this afternoon -- Sun photo: Mohamed Jailam

15.46 - Police say that 44 people have been arrested amid today's unrest.

15.58 - U.S. has expressed concern over today's events in Male'. In a statement released by the American Embassy, they expressed concern over the protests and obstruction of the Parliament session.

16.13 - Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Nazim has said that Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid is willing to commence today's Parliament session. However MDP members have sieged the Speaker and President's chairs at the Parliament chamber. The chairs are being guarded by MDP members who have placed them at the entrance of the chamber.

16.19 - Police have said that the Officer who was injured at the unrest near Wood Apple will be sent to Sri Lanka for treatment. The Officer has suffered a head injury and his condition is serious.

16.35 - Police have said that a report has been received that a Police motorcycle has been set on fire. Information has been received that the Police Officer was riding his cycle past Male' City Council, when was stopped by MDP supporters who set fire to his motorcycle.

Police vehicle which was set on fire -- Sun photo: Mohamed Jailam

17.03 - A press conference at 5.30pm has been announced by the Parliament office. The reason for this press conference is not yet known.

17.36 - Several MPs have entered the chamber through the gate on the east and taken their seats.

17.55 - Information has been received that the Parliament session will commence shortly. Some MPs say that the MPs who obstruct the Speaker of Parliament will be removed from the chamber.

17.58 - The main door inside the Parliament has once again been closed. Some MPs are now in the chamber.

18.01 - SPG Military are entering the Parliament chamber. People in the chamber are heard shouting. It is not known what is happening inside, as the main door is closed.

18.04 - The news conference is cancelled. Someone in the chamber is heard shouting "let me go".

18.26 - Two MPs who tried to prevent the Speaker of Parliament from entering the chamber have been removed. Several MPs are taking their seats at the Parliament.

18.16 - Police Media:

Police have said that Mohamed Ifaz of Kuri, Hdh. Vaikaradhoo, who was arrested during the unrest today, has been tested positive for drugs.

18.36 - Statement by Adhaalath Party:

Adhaalath Party has condemned the acts of protesters who injured the Police who were trying to control today's protest.

They released a statement in which they strongly condemned the terrorist acts of MDP members against the Police who were trying to maintain peace and order in Male' today.

18.35 - MDP has said that the MPs removed from the chamber for trying to deter the Speaker of Parliament are MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bondaa) and Baarah MP Mohamed Shifaz. Kedhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Eesa's shirt has been torn, which he showed to reporters outside the chamber.

18.48 - Police officer who suffered a head injury will depart to Sri Lanka at 7.00pm.

18.52 - MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bondaa) has reentered the Parliament building. Eesa is also inside. Eesa's shirt is missing buttons, while Bondaa's suit is torn.

18.57 - The previously cancelled news conference will commence shortly.

19.14 - Information has been received that Speaker of Parliament Shahid came out to speak to reporters, but went back in to hold discussions with opposition groups.

19.18 - The press conference by Speaker of Parliament Shahid has commenced.

19.19 - Shahid said that MDP acted in various ways to prevent today's Parliament session, and that he fell and hurt himself amid the unrest. He also said that the President is still in the Parliament chamber.

19.21 - Shahid has just announced that the Parliament session will not be held today. He said that the existence of military troops in the Parliament chamber is 'not favorable for this infant democracy', and cited this as a reason for postponing today's session.

19.24 - Speaker of Parliament Shahid:

He did not announce a new date for the Parliament session. He condemned the actions of MDP members

19.32 - President Dr Waheed has left the Parliament chamber in his car. No unrest was created when he walked out.