Police warns of strict legal action against violence and unlawful activities

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has warned of strict legal action against those who commit violence and unlawful activities.

The authority released a statement on Monday night in connection to the confrontation between expatriate workers and police officers that took place on Monday morning, where a group of expatriate workers from Island Expert Private Limited, took to the streets in protest against unpaid wages.

In connection to this, police strongly condemned the violent behavior observed from the group of expatriate workers, that put life and property of the public and security services, at risk.

MPS revealed that they will not hesitate to take legal action against “anyone” who “promotes or commits” violence in such situations.

Police officers active in Hulhumalé during Monday’s protest were targeted for violence and protesters even damaged police property. As such, the expat labourers threw bricks towards officers, injuring a number of them.

MPS revealed that a team from the Public Safety and Response Unit of the Special Operations Department was deployed to the scene after the authority received information of this.

A total of 41 expatriate workers were arrested in connection to the unrest and have since been placed under investigation for criminal offenses, reads the statement.

The statement goes on to request everyone to seek legal measures to resolves issues such as unpaid wages or other contractual disagreements between employees and employers, instead of resorting to violence in the name of industrial conflicts.

The protest comes at a time the expatriate workers in the Maldives have been more vocal regarding the issue of long-drawn-out delays in settling their due payments.

Earlier, a group of over 200 expatriate workers took 13 Maldivian workers as hostages at Bodufinolhu island, securing the island and even attacking property as well as officers who attempted to enter the island.