Dissidents attack Police Stations across Maldives and bring a halt to the operations of Police in the Provinces

Saturday, February 11th, 2012

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Protests by the former ruling party that erupted in the late afternoon of 8 February 2012 in the capital and in a number of regions in the Maldives have led to attacks on a number of Police Stations and Officers deployed in the atolls resulting in the obstruction of work undertaken by the Maldives Police Service (MPS).
Reports incoming from the regions state that a number of Police Stations have already been set aflame after hostile take over’s and dangerous offenders under custody released.
The MPS reminded the public that the Police Stations and the services provided by the Service is for the people. The public is urged to refrain from obstructing police officers and to continue cooperating with MPS.
Below are brief reports sent in from the regions on the situation of the Police Stations:
G Dh. Thinadhoo: G Dh. Thinadhoo Police Station, Magistrate Court, Council Office has been reported to have been set ablaze including all the vehicles used by the Thinadhoo Police. 7 Police Officers are being treated at the Thinadhoo Regional Hospital for very serious injuries. Supporters of the former ruling party have been said to have declared attacks upon residences of Police Officers in the island of Thinadhoo. Police Officers in the island are under threat of being attacked.
G Dh. Fares Maathodaa: MDP Supporters have been reported to have forcibly locked down the Fares Maathodaa Police Station after a hostile takeover of the Station. Police Officers have taken refuge in their homes.
Sh. Millandhoo: After a hostile takeover of the Sh. Millandhoo Police Station, MDP Supporters have been reported to have halted the services provided by the Police Station. One Vehicle and 2 motorbikes used by the Police Officers have been set ablaze.
After several threats on their lives, Police Officers have taken refuge at the Sh. Funadhoo Police Station.
Gn. Fuvamulak: Fuvamulak Police Station Officers blocked the MDP Supporters from trying to takeover the Station. The dissidents then resorted to breaking the glass windows on the station by hurling rocks and stones resulting in several casualties.
R. Dhuvaafaru: MDP supporters forced themselves into the Dhuvaafaru Stations and obstructed the services provided by the station and locked down the Station from outside the Police Building with the Officers inside.
R. Alifushi: MDP supporters forced themselves into the Alifushi Stations and obstructed the services provided by the station and locked down the Station from outside the Police Building with the Officers inside.
Addu City: Addu City Hithadhoo Police Station, Gan Police Station and Addu Police Training School have been set ablaze by MDP supporters. Police have taken refuge within the City after enduring serious injuries and after several dangerous offenders under custody being released.
H A. Dhidhdhoo: Services of the Dhidhdhoo Station have been obstructed by MDP supporters and Police Officers have taken refuge within the City and in nearby islands after Stations were forcibly shutdown. Several dangerous offenders under custody have been already released.