Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed that they have made a wave of arrests regarding the case of gang violence early Thursday, as well as several other cases of gang violence across the nation within the past few weeks.

Police spokesperson, Superintendent Ahmed Shifan revealed this to media at a press conference held on Thursday afternoon, also stating that they have arrested a total of 32 individuals regarding six different cases of gang violence in capital city Male’ as well as Addu City within the past few days. Shifan highlighted that 17 out of the 32 are currently in police custody.

Spokesperson Shifan revealed that five armed men were arrested regarding the stabbing that took place at 2:15 am on Thursday, which led to the death of a 14-year-old boy. While the boy was rushed to the hospital after the fatal stabbing, he had succumbed to injuries during treatment.

Out of the five arrested, three were minors and their families were advised to let them out into the society after thorough guidance. Shifan highlighted that there was no political influence in the case reported early Thursday, refuting claims made on social media’s politicizing the matter.

The spokesperson had appealed on public to refrain from practices that provoke violence, during this time of political turmoil.

Stressing on the several opportunities for chaos to be raised on the streets of the capital within the past few years, Shifan stated that crimes had increased after the incidences of 2012 and 2013, statistics show.

While the death count has significantly increased throughout 2018, Shifan stated that this is a small amount compared to the multiple deaths throughout previous years.