Police: Crime on the rise with protests

Police said today that crime is on the rise with the serial protests going on in Male’.

Speaking at the press conference in Iskandharu Koshi, the Head of Operational Department, Chief Superintendent of Police, Ismail Naveen said that with the protest rallies in Male’ every night, crime has gone up in Male’.

“Crime is on the rise with the protest rallies in Male’. Theft, robbery and gang violence is increasing every night.” Naveen said.

The police have noted the rise in crime in the past month or so.

Superintendent Naveen said that crime has been going up because police resources are being exhausted to ensure safety at the protest rallies. Hence, the patrol units in the city have been fewer.

Naveen said that the political parties, Elections Commission and the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) have asked to find a solution to the protest rallies.

“…in the past month or so, we have repeatedly sent requests, via letters to find a solution. We have no information if the human rights commission or the Elections Commission has taken any steps.” Naveen said.

Naveen also said that at the protest after 11 p.m. last night, one of the policemen who asked the protestors to stop using megaphones was attacked hand got a head injury. And he was released from the hospital last night after treatment.