Unrest breaks out between supporters of MDP and JP

Sun Online has received information to indicate that unrest broke out between supporters of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) in Alifu Dhaalu Dhangethi this evening.

Sun’s monitor in Dhangethi Abbas Ibrahim said that the unrest took place this evening before the deadline given by the Elections Commission to conclude campaign activities.

Abbas said that the incident occurred when JP supporters put up a banner to conclude their campaign activities, and some MDP supporters in an MDP campaign hall nearby started complaining that the banner was too close to one of their banners.

This was followed by MDP supporters putting up a campaign board near the JP campaign hall, after which two JP supporters held up a banner near MDP’s campaign board.

Abbas said that MDP supporters then attacked the two JP supporters holding the banner.

Eyewitnesses told Sun Online that supporters of both parties vandalised the equipment, banners and flags in one another’s campaign halls.

“The police arrived after the main part of the incident was over. The issue has been resolved,” an eyewitness told Sun Online.

One person was injured in the face and another in the leg in this incident.

The police media official said that an incident was reported in Dhangethi, and that the issue has been resolved.

No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, said the police.