The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has arrested 41 individuals from the opposition protest staged on Saturday evening.

The police institution revealed that a total of 41 protesters were taken into police custody from Saturday’s protest, for gathering in violation of the safety guidelines and measures placed against the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, as well as putting the general public at risk at a time a state of public health emergency is in place.

A Twitter post by MPS urges the public to prioritize the safety of the public, at a time authorities are locked in a battle against the pandemic.

Earlier on Saturday, police warned of strict legal action against those who organize and take part in public gatherings and rallies in breach of the guidelines and instructions issued by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), against the coronavirus.

MPS continues to urge the general public to adhere to the guidelines and safety measures in place to curb the spread of the infection, to ensure they safety and that of others.

The opposition coalition comprising of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) staged the protest to “pressure the government”, sources report, and this is the third rally to have been hosted amid the pandemic.

Opposition coalition member PPM and some of the opposition leaders have been slapped with fines for staging protests in violation of safety guidelines, previously.

These protests have drawn public criticism as they are being staged at a time public health officials are urging public cooperation and to play their part as a responsible citizen to ensure the spread of the virus is curbed at the earliest.