18 individuals have been arrested in Kolamaafushi island of Gaafu Alifu atoll on Thursday.

Council member Ibrahim Waheed confirmed that 18 individuals were arrested from the island on Thursday morning, adding that all arrested are supporters of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

While the Joint Opposition's presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is to arrive in Kolamaafushi as part of his campaign on Saturday, opposition supporters began preparing the island for his arrival- including putting up opposition banners and flags- on Wednesday evening.

They were obstructed by supporters of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), which reportedly led to a quarrel between both parties. RaajjeMV has since received reports that some of the opposition supporters were injured in the altercation.

Council member Waheed said that those arrested include Abdulla Rasheed, Ahmed Saleem, Niyaz Hussain, Hussain Farhath, Ahmed Waheed, Mahooth Ismail, Abbas Abdulla, Ahmed Rauf, Hassan Najeeb, Muslim Najeeb, Ziyad Rasheed, Mohamed Rasheed, Razeen Rasheed, Ahmed Shuzan, Shahudh Mohamed, Ismail Shareef, Riffath Ibrahim and Amjad Ibrahim.

While opposition members are being arrested after an altercation instigated by members of the ruling party, the arrests come hours after the party's parliamentary group leader revealed that a complaint had been filed at the police.

RaajjeMV understands that the opposition members had filed a complaint over the matter as well.