Council President of Gaaf Alif Atoll Ahmed Fuad has criticized the Local Government Authority (LGA) to suspend Councilors following their meeting with Indian Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra.
Speaking to RaajjeTV 60 minutes program, Fuad described this as a move to nullify relations with India. He said the decision had hampered his ability to fulfil his mandate as Council President.
He also said the decision to criminalize the meeting with Indian Ambassador and to penalize the Council Members was a direct attack on bilateral relations between the two nations. Fuad also said this was done to please China.
The Ambassador met the Council Members on his trip to the island on the 11th of this month. In addition to the Indian Ambassador, the UK Ambassador had also visited the region, which prompted the LGA to release a statement, stating that Councils must seek express permission from the Authority prior to meeting any foreign delegates.
However, Fuad said the circular was issued after their meeting with the Ambassador, adding that penalizing them for an action that predated the circular was illogical.
He said he did not believe LGA had the authority to issue such a circular.
Following the circular, the Councilors were suspended without pay for a period of three months.
