The government of the Maldives has condemned calls to harass and attack police officers and the subsequent attacks on police officers.
Police officers who were on crowd control duty during the opposition protests held in Male' on March 14 and March 15 were attacked by protestors. The government condemned these actions in a press statement issued by the President's Office.
Protesters gathered at Majeedhee Road, the main road of Male', blocking all transport on the night of March 14, and attacked a police officer using crude oil. The Police had confiscated 105 packets of chilli powder mixed with water. Subsequently, on the night of March 15 police confiscated 76 packets of pepper powder mixed with water in addition to 24 iron rods from the protest site. These substances were allegedly made to be used against the police officers handling the crowd protesting on Majeedhee Road.
The President's Office also noted that it was just hours after Maldives Police Service received information about a possible arson attach that a parked vehicle was torched on Friday night.
Citing that violent acts, including destruction of property, for not fall under freedoms granted under the Freedom to Peaceful Assembly Act, the government called upon all citizens to abide by all rules and regulations.