Minister orders an end to protest by 12 am

Home Minister has ordered police to put an end to opposition – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protest “Minjuvaan” by 12 am.

Minister Umar tweeted on Thursday that he had ordered police to put an end to the protest by 12 am, and to restrict the protestors to Artificial Beach.

Minister’s orders comes after MDP announced on Wednesday that Friday’s protest would continue for 73 hours and 13 minutes.

MDP Secretary-General Anas Abdul Sattar had said that a large number of activities had been planned for the protest, and that the party would be making some demands to the government during the protest.

He also added that the protest would not be restricted to Artificial Beach.

“Protest will be largely carried out at Artificial Beach. But as we have a large number of activities planned, it will not only be carried out at Artificial Beach. We will also go out to the street corner,” he said.

The main purpose of the large protest, which had been delayed when President Abdulla Yameen announced a State of Emergency, is to call out for release of former President

Mohamed Nasheed, former Defense Minister Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, and Adhaalath Party President Imran Abdulla.