Yoga Day violence: Police conclude inquiry into security breach

Police have concluded the inquiry into the security breach at the Yoga Day event in Male’ City last June, which ended in chaos after a mob of angry protestors stormed the event venue and attacked participants.

 The yoga event, organized by the Indian Cultural Center and the Sports Ministry, was held on the morning of June 21, and was attended by dozens of participants, foreign ambassadors including Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar, diplomats, and government officials.

A mob of angry protestors had stormed the stadium, and threatened and assaulted some of the participants, and destroyed property.

Police admitted to a security failure and launched an inquiry into their response the same day.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed himself expressed concern over the policing effort during the event, and said the police would extend full cooperation to all inquiries conducted by relevant authorities.  

“While we focus on taking swift action against those who unlawfully disrupted the event, we will also take corrective steps to improve our operations,” he said.

Police spokesperson Yoonus Sobah told Sun the police had concluded the inquiry into the incident.

“The inquiry report has been shared with the CP and National Integrity Commission (NIC),” he said.

Yoonus declined to comment on the findings of the inquiry.

The incident is also being looked into by a subcommittee of composed of seven members of the Cabinet. Yoonus said the police had been cooperative, and had provided all information requested by the subcommittee.

Police arrested over 20 suspects in connection to the mob attack on the event, including local Islamic scholars Al-Sheikh Adam Nishan and Al-Sheikh Mohamed Fazloon. Some of the suspects, including Fazloon, have since been released.