Officers of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) have obstructed and barred a group of members of the public from entering Dharubaaruge, after they arrived to seek information from the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development.

After the massive fire that burned down the building housing the ministry, it has been operating at Dharubaaruge.

Members of the public that arrived to seek information from the ministry were blocked by officers who prevented them from entering the building at the main gate.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, one of the individuals who went to seek information regarding the incident that occurred before noon on Tuesday confirmed that it happened and that the police prevented them from entering the housing ministry and expelled them.

When inquired about the reason for the police's actions, the individual said that the police expelled them, stating that they were a group that came to protest there.

The individual said that they didn’t know how the police decided on their own about the purpose they went there and that they were surprised that the police expelled Maldivian citizens who went to seek a service after making an assumption.

The individual went on to stress that they asked the officers calmly and politely on what basis they blocked a group that went there to seek information, from entering.

The individual further clarified that the people who went to seek information did not go there with any such intention and added that none of the people who went there spoke loudly or said anything disrespectful.

The individual mentioned that it was raining at the time of the incident, and even when they requested to wait until the rain stopped, that request was not accepted and the police said they couldn’t stay there and had to leave.

Thursday’s massive fire prompted the housing ministry to set up operations at Dharubaaruge. The ministry on December 15 announced that they have resumed their operations at Dharubaaruge, and publicly informed that those seeking services should enter through the gate on Ameeneemagu.