Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has raised the alert level in the country considering the threat of extremists amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
MNDF made the remarks in a letter sent to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations regarding the possibility of security threats during the pandemic. During the committee sitting held via video conferencing, MNDF and Maldives Police Service (MPS) shared relevant information and responded to questions from the parliamentarians. The parliamentarians urged MNDF and MPS to be watchful of the possible internal and external threats to the Maldives and clarified the readiness of the security forces.
The evaluation from MPS reports a possible increase in domestic violence, theft, violence and drug trade, and trafficking. MPS stated measures have been taken to mitigate the possible breakouts during the pandemic.
The parliamentarians also suggested MPS to make arrangements to work during the current situation, in addition to requesting to further investigate into the matter of possible instability in the Maldives.