MDP holds protest near Hiriya School against President

A group of MDP women have protested near Hiriya School today, when President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik arrived for a ceremony held at the school.

The group of MDP women gathered in front of Hiriya School and on nearby roads about 15 minutes prior to the President’s arrival at 11.00am. They called for his resignation and an early election.

Although Police had set up barricades blocking all roads leading up to Hiriya School, protesters holding boards expressing sentiments against the President were present in front of the school when several officials arrived for the ceremony.

One person was arrested when the Police pushed the protesters back just before President Dr Waheed arrived.

People who witnessed the events say that pepper spray was used when the women on IGMH side of Hiriya School tried to break the Police cordon and enter the area while the ceremony was ongoing. Several people were also arrested.

Police say that several female Police Officers were injured in efforts to control today’s protest. Some protesters even spit on the Police.

“Several female Police officers have been injured. One officer’s forehead is swollen. The protesters even spit on Police officers’ faces,” Police Media Official Sub-inspector Ahmed Shiyam said.

Shiyam said that no person suffered any serious injury in the efforts to control the protest.