An invitation to join the rally opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) staged on Friday evening, was extended to “gangs” in the capital region.

RaajjeMV understands that talks were held to involve gangs active in the capital region, in the protest, which took place on Friday evening.

A loose translation of the rally’s title “Maldivians in defense of independence”, protestors called to defend the country’s independence, holding up banners reading “India Out” and “Defend Maldives”.

An anonymous individual who was in the frontlines of organizing the rally told RaajjeMV that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) had allowed the protest to be staged in particular streets.

Protestors claimed that the aim of the rally was to voice against the government’s policies that soil the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives.

Some members of the party across outlying atolls had arrived in the capital to take part in the protest. 110 residents of Dhiffushi and Himmafushi were to join the rally, alongside 50 from Muli, 70 from Dhuvaafaru, 60 from Eydhafushi, 150 from Alif Dhaal atoll totalling around 500 participants. However, due to bad weather some groups had cancelled their trip.

The opposition has been staging a series of protests in the capital and most of these rallies see protestors calling for the release of their incarcerated leader, Former President Abdulla Yameen.