Protest kicked off by Dhiyana, ends with protesters going round the island

Unlike other nights, last night’s protest began when former Attorney General and former SAARC Secretary General Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed and group sat down in a circle at the Republic Square between Maghrib and Isha prayers. Shortly afterwards, STAR Force began taking them away one by one. Dhiyana was also taken onboard a Police vehicle resembling a small prison.

By then, the protest had begun near the local fish market. Protesters were calling for the release of Judge Abdulla and for the resignation of President Nasheed.

Last night’s protest was also covered by international news agency Reuters; the first time an international news agency was observed at the two-week long series of protests.

Deputy Leader of DRP Ibrahim Shareef made a speech at the beginning of last night’s protest, where he said that if the desired outcome is not achieved by these protests, things have to change and that they should start protesting during daytime outside the President’s Office. He also said that the President has acted in conflict with the law and therefore no longer holds the post of President of the country. Shareef introduced a new name to address the president last night, which was used throughout the protest.

President Nasheed was addressed as “Aabidhaage Mohamed”, with reference to his mother.

Secretary General of PPM Yumna Maumoon, who was seen at the protests last night for the first time, said that the Police arrested Dhiyana in a violent manner.

The protesters left the local market area and made their way into the island before the Police issued any warning. However, the Police used pepper spray on the protesters and held their vehicle containing the sound system and generator. However, protesters later took to the streets equipped with the sound system and generator.

Confrontations took place between the demonstrators and the Police near Reef Side shop.

While the Police were warning against violence and unrest, the protesters made their way to Chaandhanee magu, and stopped at the crossroad of Majeedhee magu. They followed Ahmed Nihan’s instructions and expressed their sentiments while sitting on the ground. However, they began walking again following Police warnings to leave the area. They called for the resignation of President Nasheed and his cabinet, and even that they are put to death by hanging.

The protesters’ next destination was MNBC area. Here they threw color packets at the police who were clad in riot gear. Several protesters threw stones inside MNBC, and called for the independence of the state media.

They soon arrived at the Bank of Maldives main building. They called for the resignation of Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem as they passed his residence, H. Hikifinifenmaage.

At this stage, an anti-protest group was observed to throw stones at the protesters from behind. It was not clear who they were, even though protesters suspected that they belonged to MDP.

All of a sudden the riot police began chasing the protesters, prompting several groups to flee from the scene.

The Police had advised reporters to enter the Police barricade and remain there. It was said that a reporter who disobeyed this advice was exposed to violence by the Police.

As protesters mingled with the Police and things turned chaotic, the Police soon seen to arrest Ahmed Nihaan Hussain Manik.

By this time the protest was broken up and demonstrators had disappeared from the scene. Dhiyana’s group who were arrested at the beginning had also been released by then. The protest which started with the formation of a circle on Republic Square ended with protesters going around the island, at around 1.30am.