Demonstrations in Vilimal

Demonstrations have erupted in Vilimalé following the decision of transport ferry services provider Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) Plc. Ltd. to increase ferry prices.

Vilimalé is a separate island that is located at a distance of about 10-minute boat-ride from Malé, the Capital, and has been officially declared the fifth Ward of Malé. MTCC has provided ferry services between Malé and Vilimalé for years, and has decided to raise ferry ticket prices starting from the 30th of next month.

Ferry ticket price for a one-way trip between Malé and Vilimalé has been stable at MVR 3.00 for years, before MTCC decided to raise it to MVR 5.00 after October.

As soon as demonstrations began at Vilimalé Ferry Terminal area, the Maldives Police Services held their position there in riot gear, and have been trying to contain the protesters. While protesters are there in and outside the Terminal, the police have closed all entry and exit points of the Terminal. According to Sun Reporter, reporting from the scene, the police threw one of the protesters who tried to block them into the sea, leading to heated clashes between the protesters and the police.

The police warned protesters to clear out of the area, though the people insisted that they would not leave the area unless a managerial level staff from MTCC came there to meet with them to discuss the issue. Protesters also demanded that ferry services should be opened for bid.

Sub Inspector Ahmed Shiyam, the Police Media Official, denied the report that a protester was thrown by the police into the sea, and declined to say whether any person had been arrested or not, although according to eye-witness reports, several people were arrested moments later.

As desmonstrations ripen, ferry services are now temporarily terminated, and all service counters are closed.

There is a huge traffic of people travelling between Malé and Vilimalé, as hundreds of people living in Vilimalé have to travel to and fro Malé for work, shopping, and other purposes. MTCC has operated an efficient ferry service system, with ferries travelling at a fifteen-minute interval throughout day and for the most part of the night.

MTCC decided to increase ticket prices of ferry services between Malé and Hulhumalé as well, and yesterday there were similar demonstrations at Hulhumalé Ferry Terminal area.