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MDP should
refrain from creating hysteria among island communities by
spreading misinformation about the incident in Fares-Maathoda:
Chief Government Spokesman
10|01|2006 |Chief
Government Spokesman | via e-mail
Male', Tuesday, January 10, 2006 – The Chief Government
Spokesman, Mr. Mohamed Hussain Shareef has called on the
opposition MDP to refrain from creating hysteria among island
communities by spreading misinformation about the incident that
took place last week on the island of South Huvadhu Atoll Fares-Maathoda.
In comments made to the local press today, the Maldives' Chief
Government Spokesman said: "Spreading lies and misinformation to
incite island communities to take violent action is
irresponsible, and it certainly is not in keeping with the
spirit of democracy. The facts of the Fares-Maathoda incident
have been reported accurately both by the state television and
radio stations, as well as responsible local daily newspapers."
"MDP however has continued to inflame the situation and incite
anger and hatred towards the police by spreading malicious lies
about the incident."
Speaking on the events that unfolded on Fares-Maathoda, he
added: "Police officials went to Fares-Maathoda to arrest two
people who were alleged to have been the masterminds behind the
incident on the island earlier in the week, when a Government
survey team was held hostage. Some of the lawless elements on
the island attacked the police officials and obstructed their
duty, in an attempt to stop them from arresting the two people.
At that point, backup was summoned, and the crowd was dispersed.
A further four arrests had to be made."
"While the police backup team used stun-guns and pepper spray to
disperse the crowd, they did not use any fire arms. Some
residents and police officials were injured in the scuffle, and
one police official is reported to have sustained serious
injuries."
"Some dissident websites reported that shots were fired at the
crowd and that security officials had killed some residents of
Fares-Maathoda. Eyewitness evidence made clear that these
allegations were absolute lies."
Mr. Mohamed Hussain Shareef went on to say: "This attempt by the
MDP to create political drama and hysteria on the back of a
local incident is a cheap trick, and is a sign of their
desperation. We call on MDP to get out of the gutter and to come
to the dialogue table."
"People are moral agents and not a means to an end, however much
the MDP may lust for power. It is particularly distasteful that
they should use the eve of the Muslim Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha
festivals for such rancour."
Ends.
Notes to Editors:
(a) For comments and interviews, please contact the Chief
Government Spokesman, Mr. Mohamed Hussain Shareef on (+960)
7773394.
(b) The Government surveyors were released unharmed, and an MDP
delegation that just went to the island to exploit the situation
was cold-shouldered by the majority of the population. Also, the
Minister of Construction and Public Infrastructure, Mr. Mohamed
Mauroof Jameel is to lead a delegation to the island of Fares-Maathoda
in two days time. |
