Nasheed and MDP must take responsibility for violence: Home Minister

Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has said that former President Mohamed Nasheed and his party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) must take full responsibility for the violence created in Maldives yesterday.

In a press conference held yesterday at President’s Office, Jameel noted the violence against security personnel and damage caused to people’s property and in Male’ and other islands over the past one month.

“The acts of violence against security personnel are not acceptable. I do not accept these activities against police and military conducted in the name of democracy,” Jameel said.

Jameel said that the unrest caused in the Parliament and all over the island do not help build a peaceful democratic society, and such acts of violence at a time when people are trying to restore order in the society are clearly not acceptable to Maldivian majority.

“We know that if they [MDP] come into power, things will be done the same way as they are done now when they are the opposition. The examples set by them today are not accepted by Maldivians,” Jameel said.

The Minister said that steps will be taken against any person - even former President Nasheed - who breaks the law in creating violence and unrest.