Male, November 2 (newsin.asia): The Maldivian Opposition Coalition has expressed concern over the Ibrahim Solih government’s threat to violently clampdown on a peaceful assembly to commemorate the 31st anniversary of a failed coup to overthrow the Maumoon Abdul Gayoom government on November 3, 1988.
On the eve of a planned peaceful assembly in the capital Male, the Progressive Party of Maldives and Peoples’ National Congress alliance has expressed deep concern over police warnings that they would clamp down on the gathering.
As a matter of fact. The police crackdown began on November 2 night. Opposition Vice President Mohamed Nimal was beaten up by the police. He is currently receiving treatment. At least ten opposition leaders have been arrested.
In a brief statement to the press airing their concern yet confirming that the rally would go ahead as planned, the PPM-PNC alliance stated that the constitutionally-guaranteed right to peaceful assembly will be exercised.
“Unlike the ruling regime, our gatherings have always been peaceful and non-disruptive to daily life in the city,” the alliance recalled.
Expanding on the theme, the statement said: “This morning’s pre-emptive warnings by the police that the gathering will not be allowed to proceed, in spite of us completing all formalities, including notification to the police, is nothing but added confirmation of the government’s unlawful influence over law enforcement officials through the discredited Police Chief Hameed, the President’s in-law.”
While the anniversary of the 988, 3rd November coup attempt is officially marked as Victory Day, the coup plotters’ family and political ties to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leader Mohamed Nasheed and the current First Lady explains the government’s reluctance and refusal to commemorate Victory Day, during which the plotters aided by Tamil mercenaries from Sri Lanka murdered 19 Maldivians in cold blood, including civilians and on-duty security officials.”
“The day has also been a celebration of neighborly ties with India, which aided the then government by foiling the coup d’etat.”
“As we witnessed annually during Nasheed’s 2008-2012 regime, the MDP forces the Police to brutalize those assembling peacefully to mark Victory Day and other occasions that expose the ugly history of the Party and its key officials.”
“Ultimately, it was this duress and unlawful orders passed down to security officials that led to the Nasheed regime’s disgraceful, premature end.”
“Assuring those who are keen on joining tonight’s peaceful assembly that any violations of their fundamental rights would be documented and relayed to all stakeholders, the opposition parties called on the Police to reconsider implementing such unlawful orders passed down from President Solih, Speaker Nasheed and their family members.”
