The government of the Maldives has condemned the calls to harass and attack police officers and subsequent attacks on police officers who are on crowd control duty during the joint-opposition protests held in Male’ on March 14 and March 15, 2018.
The government condemned these actions in a press statement issued by the President's Office.
Protestors gathered at Majeedhee Road, the main road of Male’, blocking all transport on the night of March 14, and attacked a police officer using crude oil.
The Police had confiscated 105 packets of chilli powder mixed with water. Subsequently, on the night of March 15 police confiscated 76 packets of pepper powder mixed with water and 24 iron rods from the protest site.
These substances were made to be used against the police officers handling the crowd protesting on Majeedhee Road.
According to the President's Office, the Maldives Police Service has also made public that they have received information that a group of people are planning arson which has been followed by a car being set on fire, Friday night.
Citing that violent acts, including destruction of property, are not within the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act, the government called upon all citizens to abide by the rules and regulations.