Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has stated gang-related offences have been reduced in the last two years.
In a tweet on International Day of Non-Violence, Commissioner Hameed said the reduction in violent assaults over the last two years is owed to police tactics. However, the commissioner said tackling violence is still an area that needs focus and more effective and robust methods. The Maldives Police Service (MPS) is committed to increasing its efforts to tackle violence on this year's International Day of Non-Violence, especially violence perpetrated by criminal groups that create fear on the streets and communities, he also said.
Statistics published by MPS shows 2009 saw the most gang-related offences from 2008 to 2019, with 2019 seeing the lowest number of gang-related offences. The statistics also confirm that gang-related offences have been decreasing year by year.
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2, which is the birthday of the leader of the Indian independence movement Mahatma Gandhi. The international day is an occasion to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness, according to the United Nations (UN).
The international day also seeks to reaffirm the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.