Commissioner of Police (CP) Mohamed Hameed has stated the India Out campaign led by the opposition is a threat to national security.
Speaking at the Parliamentary Committee on National Security Services as part of the inquiry into the consequences of the India Out campaign, CP Hameed said the campaign is a threat to national security and public safety. The commissioner said the direct targeting of a bilateral partner of the Maldives can have serious impact on the whole country, noting even the Maldives Police Service (MPS) has established partnerships with institutions from other countries.
Speaking at the committee, Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla expressed concern over the threats faced by Indian nationals working in the Maldives due to the campaign. Noting there are many Indian nationals working as doctors, nurses, teachers and other essential professions in the Maldives, the home minister said the campaign is damaging at all fronts for the country.
The parliament committee began an inquiry into the India Out campaign following a request by Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed. During the review meeting held by the committee, Speaker Nasheed highlighted the importance of identifying the consequences of conducting a destructive campaign targeting a specific country with which the Maldives has established diplomatic relations. He noted it is important to analyse the possible reaction to such a campaign from the targeted country and possible consequences on the Maldivian people.
The India Out campaign by the opposition has drawn strong condemnation from the main ruling party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) as well as other parties in the government coalition.