‘India Out’ supporters take to the streets after arrest of leaders

Supporters of the ‘India Out’ movement have taken to the streets after the arrest of former Hoarafushi MP Mohamed Ismail and an additional person on suspicion of involvement in the movement.

Protestors holding up a large number of banners reading ‘India Out’ commenced the protest at 9:00pm, in front of PPM headquarters.

As the protestors stood at Majeedhee Magu, SO Police had impeded the protest – effectively breaking it up.  

PPM’s Spokesperson Heena Waleed told Sun that the protest was broken up using excessive force to the circumstance.

“Only a small number of people had gathered at Majeedhee Magu tonight. Nevertheless, male officers had run after females, thrown them to ground, physically hurt them and arrested them,” she had said.

She further stated police had sprayed pepper spray directly onto the faces of protestors – which had resulted in two of them losing consciousness. Heena said both of them were being treated at ADK Hospital.

She also noted that three individuals were arrested by the police during tonight’s protest – for allegedly disobeying their orders.

‘India Out’ is a campaign led by the opposition coalition in protest of Indian military presence in the Maldives.

Whilst they were gearing up to expand ‘India Out’ campaign across the Maldives, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih issued a decree declaring the ‘India Out’ campaign as a threat to national security.

Subsequently, huge banners with ‘India Out’ written in bold letters were hung at former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom’s house, H. Dhoovehi, and PPM headquarters, located in H. Hurafa, were both forcibly removed by Police after entering the buildings with court orders.

Spelling altered ‘India Out’ banners placed on later, which read ‘In Dear Out’ were also removed.

Subsequently, supporters of the campaign had begun grafitting indirect messages related to ‘India Out’ outside homes, building and walls. These were painted over by the Police.

Former Hoarafushi MP Mohamed Ismail was arrested under court order this afternoon.

The police believe Mohamed Ismail is involved in expanding and recruiting more people for the ‘India Out’ movement.

He is also accused of obstructing efforts by state authorities to stop the campaign, and preparing banners, drawings and documents linked to the ‘India Out’ campaign and distributing it within Male’ and to other islands.

The arrest warrant read that Mohamed Ismail’s actions were having a negative impact on international relations, and the diplomatic and cultural relations with neighboring countries.